If you don’t know any, you’re not alone. Only half of Australians know that ovarian cancer even exhibits symptoms, according to Ovarian Cancer Australia.
The main symptoms are:
- Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling and/or bloating
- Increased urgency and frequency of urination, or incontinence
- Difficulty eating or feeling full after eating a small amount of food
Other signs include changes in bowel habits; unexplained weight gain or weight loss; bleeding in-between periods or after menopause; back pain; indigestion or nausea; excessive fatigue; and pain during intercourse.
Most of us would see these as separate symptoms though – so how can you pick up a pattern?
Be aware of the signs
Ovarian Cancer Australia has now created a symptom diary that you can download to track any symptoms if you are concerned.
Simply record any symptoms you experience every day for four weeks, rating how mild or severe they are.
If any are new for you or you have one or more persistently over a four-week period, it’s recommended you should visit your GP.
While most women with these symptoms won’t have ovarian cancer, it’s important to rule it out – and seek another opinion if you’re not happy with your doctor’s diagnosis or symptoms persist.
There is no screening currently available for ovarian cancer – so knowing the signs is the only way of detecting the disease.
Lowest survival rates
Ovarian has the lowest survival rate for any women’s cancer – just 43 per cent after five years compared to 89 per cent for breast cancer.
It’s estimated 1,480 Australian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016. Of these, 1,040 will die.
Don’t miss the warning signs.
Download the diary here.
