Recognizing The Symptoms Of Ovarian Cancer
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The biggest problem for treating ovarian cancer in women is that there are so few warning signs. Even when there are signs, they're vague and can easily be ignored.
Nevertheless, medical groups have agreed that despite the vague nature of these symptoms, they need to be considered with a possible connection to ovarian cancer.
More than 22,000 US women will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and three quarters of them, more than 15,000, will die from it. These are stats from the National Cancer Institute.
What are the classic symptoms? Many imitate GI disorders that include persistent swelling, bloating, pressure or pain in the abdomen, gastrointestinal upset, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. Another symptom is the frequent or urgent need to urinate.
Women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are at increased risk and should pay particular attention to the symptoms. But you can see how tough it is. For instance, a frequent or urgent need to urinate is far more likely to be a urinary tract infection than ovarian cancer but you have to look at things like how long it lasts and if medication treats it.
Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor
