14 Ovarian Cancer Symptoms That Are Hard to Recognize

Advances in medical science and treatment mean that women with ovarian cancer have a higher survival rate than a few decades ago. Unfortunately, the subtle signs of the disease are hard to spot, and as a result, more than 70-percent of affected women receive a diagnosis when cancer has advanced into a later stage.

The five-year survival rate for women that experience the onset of early-stage ovarian cancer is between 80 to 909-percent. However, for women diagnosed at a late stage of the disease, the survival rate drops to 40-percent or less. This silent killer produces symptoms that are easily confused with other conditions or written off as a temporary ailment without cause for concern.

If you’re over the age of 30-years and experience any of the following early warning signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, seek immediate consultation with your doctor for a diagnosis, your life may depend on you taking action.

1. Bloating

Every woman experiences the symptoms of bloating at some stage in their life. For many women, bloating is a sign of menstruation that’s nothing to be concerned with, it’s a stage of the monthly ovarian cycle that they’ve had plenty of experience dealing with since they entered puberty.

Bloating also occurs if you’ve eaten too much food, or you’re experiencing a hormone imbalance after or during pregnancy. This bloating leads to an uncomfortable sensation in the abdomen, as fluids and gas press up against other organs causing discomfort and pain to the affected individual.

However, persistent bloating symptoms that last for 3-weeks or longer may be early warning signs of ovarian cancer. In most cases, bloating is accompanied by distension of the abdomen, where the stomach has visible signs of swelling. Take this symptom as a red flag for possible ovarian cancer, and arrange a consultation with your physician for a diagnosis.