Cancer in any form is obviously very serious, but the unique nature of ovarian cancer and its lack of noticeable symptoms makes it especially important for women to understand the condition and take a proactive approach to prevent it. This is why our reproductive healthcare experts wanted to answer some common questions about ovarian cancer to help educate our readers.
Question #1: What are the common symptoms associated with ovarian cancer?
In many cases, a woman with ovarian cancer may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms until her illness has already reached an advanced and more serious stage. However, this is not always the case. We advise women to be aware of the following ovarian cancer symptoms and reach out to their board-certified gynecologist if they experience them for up to two weeks:
- Pelvic pain
- Bloating in the abdominal area
- Inability to eat or feel full very quickly
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
Question #2: How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
The first step in diagnosing a potential ovarian cancer is to undergo a full physical exam, including a pelvic exam. In addition, we will perform a pelvic ultrasound to evaluate the appearance of the ovaries. A CT scan may be necessary as well to assess the spread to other organs of the abdomen and pelvis.
Question #3: Is there a connection between ovarian cancer and ovarian cysts?
While it’s true that some ovarian cysts are malignant (cancerous), this is rare. Women may develop ovarian cysts for any number of reasons not related to ovarian cancer. However, women who experience ovarian cysts after menopause may have an increased risk for reproductive cancers, so they should be extra cautious about their reproductive health.
Our goal is not to frighten our readers, but to highlight the importance of their reproductive health and wellness. Women who better understand concerns like ovarian cancer will be better positioned to detect and act on any potentially abnormal changes to their bodies in a timely and beneficial manner. For more information on ovarian cancer or to request an appointment with one of our reproductive healthcare providers, please contact Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett today. You can also follow us on Facebook for additional health tips, news, and much more.
