The Cancer that Whispers
- Symptoms for ovarian cancer can be subtle, which may make it difficult to detect early
- Bloating and a feeling of fullness are typically two common symptoms
- If symptoms persist for more than two weeks it's time to get a medical evaluation
- You know your body best, so be your own health advocate. You can always get a second opinion
Because the symptoms aren't announcing themselves with great fanfare, many women don't seek medical attention until the disease is already advanced and has metastasized.
Read MoreIn addition to feeling bloated or full, other symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- Fatigue
- Back pain or pain during sex
- Constipation or upset stomach
- Weight loss and swelling around the abdomen
- Changes in your menstrual cycle such as heavy or irregular bleeding
You Are Your Own Best Advocate
"We really try to stress with patients, particularly those who are postmenopausal, that when symptoms [persist], meaning they go on for several weeks at a time, not just happen once and then go away," they really should get a full medical evaluation, says Dr. Gray. Women know their own bodies better than anyone. So if you feel like something just isn't right it's a good idea to see your primary care physician, at least to start. Your doctor should get your medical history and the symptoms you're concerned about, and do a physical exam.
It's important for patients to relay their concerns enough so that any workup that follows will be comprehensive, Dr. Gray adds. This includes looking at "GI or intestinal issues, any urinary issue … and the gynecologic tract."
Next Steps
After that, "the next steps of a workup are, typically, either an ultrasound or a CT scan," says Dr. Gray.
Transvaginal ultrasound exams, though expensive and not practical to offer as a screening test, can can detect masses in the ovaries or pelvis, and help determine the presence and the stage of ovarian cancer if the disease is suspected.
"[We'll also do] some lab work, particularly around what we call tumor markers," says Dr. Gray. "The one that we focus on a lot in ovarian cancer is the CA 125 test as kind of an initial screen."
Other oncologists disagree about the effectiveness of a CA 125 as an initial screening test, saying that the level may become elevated due to a number of other conditions, leading to a lot of false positive results for ovarian cancer. The best use for this test, they say, is monitoring women who are being treated for ovarian cancer, as the test can help to detect a recurrence early.
Getting a Second Opinion
If your symptoms have been persistent and you feel that your doctor is not adequately addressing your concerns, you either need to be frank with your doctor and say that you're worried about ovarian cancer, and ask if you can be checked for that. Or consider getting a second opinion.
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