Ovarian Cancer is one of the most deadly women’s cancers. Each year, approximately 21,980 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
This cancer typically occurs in women in their fifties and sixties with the median age being 63. Many women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a genetic history that may include carrying the BRCA mutation gene and having a strong family history of ovarian cancer.
Unfortunately, many women don’t seek help until the disease has begun to spread, but if detected at its earliest stage, the five-year survival rate is more than 93%. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often subtle and easily confused with other ailments.
Symptoms may include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or Abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary urgency or frequency
Other symptoms may include:
- Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
- Extreme fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Backaches
There is no adequate screening test of ovarian cancer at this time which is one of the reasons that this cancer is often discovered in later stages.
Talk to our office if symptoms last more than 2-3 weeks.