Ovarian cancer is one of the most fatal cancers in women. However, many who get treated during the early stages survive longer than five years after their diagnosis.
A large reason for ovarian cancer’s deadliness is the difficulty in diagnosing it, which means many women aren’t diagnosed as having ovarian cancer until the disease is quite advanced.
To make matters even worse, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are mild, seemingly benign and can be confused with something a lot less deadly. For example, one symptom is bloating in the lower abdomen, which most women will assume indicates either a sluggish bowel or menstrual symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
In addition to a bloated lower abdomen, symptoms of ovarian cancer can include the following:
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area
• A feeling of fullness
• Increased urination and urge to urinate
• Pain during sex
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the lower back
• Fatigue
• Persistent indigestion or gas
• Increased size of the abdomen, causing clothes to fit more snugly around the waist and hips
• Irregular periods
When is It Time to See a Doctor?
As the above list shows, the symptoms of ovarian cancer can seem like general complaints rather than anything lethal. It is, therefore, easy to dismiss them.
One clue to their seriousness will be their persistence. If any of the listed symptoms lasts for over two weeks, it’s time to see South Lake OB/GYN. That’s true even if the patient has only one or two of the symptoms listed.
What Kind of Doctor Should a Woman See?
Women being treated for ovarian cancer do better and survive longer if they receive care from an experienced specialist rather than a generalist. The board-certified gynecologists at South Lake OB/GYN in Clermont specialize in treating the female reproductive system, as well as treating cancers of the female reproductive system.
As specialists, we can more accurately assess the disease, including its level of progression and the chance of recurrence. We will also know the latest treatments and which treatment options will be best for you.
If you or someone you love is suffering from any of the above symptoms and would like some peace of mind as to whether or not these are caused by ovarian cancer, contact South Lake OB/GYN today to schedule an appointment.