Ovarian cancer kills thousands of women every year. The most unfortunate fact is that this cancer is completely treatable when detected on time. When it comes to cancers of the reproductive organs, most women do not notice the subtle symptoms that exist as they are very confusing and can be easily mixed with normal responses of the body.
It is of utmost importance to treat the symptoms seriously and get a doctor’s opinion in such cases, so that complications can be caught early on and treated adequately. Here are some ways to identify ovarian and pelvic cancers.
Pain In The Pelvic Region
Ovarian cancer always starts with a nagging pain in the pelvis or back. This pain can be a numbing or tingling sensation as well which is caused due to the pressure exerted by the ovarian tumour on the nerves. The pain can radiate to other areas of the body like the legs and hands depending on which nerves are involved. The pain can also be concentrated on the lower back and abdomen which are areas that come right near the pelvis.
Bladder Problems
Problems in the bladder are inevitable once the tumour starts progressing. The bladder will again have to bear the brunt of the pressing tumour and the patient will have frequent and increased urination in some cases and decreased or blocked urination in other cases depending on how the bladder has been affected by the tumour.
Digestive And Stomach Disorders
The tumour can also cause disorders in the digestive tract causing, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. Gas and a bloated feeling in the stomach too can be felt by some patients. The tumour can at times press the colon making the stools stick to the walls due to slow and obstructed bowel movement and causing severe constipation. In some cases, the stools will be loose as the pressing tumour will make the colon contract way too frequently and cause loose motion. The stomach will start feeling bigger and under constant pressure due to the tumour growth.
Abnormal Menstrual Reactions
Ovarian or pelvic cancer, which is both one and the same, will have some abnormal responses during menstruation. The menstrual blood will have a heavy flow which can go on for more than a week without much respite from heavy bleeding. This will lead to anaemia and eventually, deficiency in iron. Sometimes the tumour growth will be so big, which is the case in advanced ovarian cancers, that the free release of blood through the vagina is blocked, causing missed periods or irregular menstrual cycle.
Fatigue And Weight Fluctuation
Fluctuation in weight and fatigue is caused due to loss of appetite and iron deficiency. Either the patient will lose a lot of weight suddenly or gain weight without any reason due to the hormonal fluctuations in the body. She will also feel a sense of tiredness that remains unexplained as it is not connected with a lack of sleep or rest. Such symptoms must be immediately reported to arrest the growth of tumour and prevent further damage to the body.
