One of the most common types of cancer in women, ovarian cancer, is estimated to account for 371,000 cancer cases per year by 2035 in India. The incident rate directly affects the mortality rate, which can be traced back to the condition’s undetectable nature in the early stages. 

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are hard to identify, and by the time the diagnosis takes place, the condition develops into an advanced stage. This calls for awareness amongst women regarding recognising the signs of the disease to get it diagnosed within time and seek ovarian cancer treatment.

Therefore, we bring you the 15 symptoms of ovarian cancer that generally go unnoticed. With this list, you can watch out for common ovarian cancer indicators and spread the word to your friends and relatives for their safety.

• Pelvic Discomfort

Sudden or persistent pain in the pelvis area can be a result of the malignancy deteriorating your ovaries. Whilst this is a very common symptom, the ruling out of such an indicator can put you in a terrible place.

If the discomfort or ache doesn’t go within a week, it is recommended to consult a doctor,  get your tests done and seek ovarian cancer treatment, if needed.

• Lower Back Pain

Back pain is a prevalent condition in women, given the number of chores they do and their unrelaxing routines, especially the mothers. But again, instead of continuously applying pain relief sprays and ointments, it’s better to get checked if the problem persists.

• Lower Side Pain

Often equated with menstrual cramps and even labour pain, discomfort in your lower sides can be a reflection of cancerous ovaries. Of course, the situation is not always true, and the pain might be due to some late-night gorging. But as it goes, prevention is better than cure, and so is awareness.

• Pain In Abdomen

Another confusing symptom, abdominal pain, is the leading sign that something is wrong with your ovaries. As per the patients’ experiences, any abdominal discomfort or ache that stays longer than 14 days can be due to underlying ovarian cancer.

• Indigestion

Heartburns, something we encounter frequently can actually be pointing to the over-pressurised digestive system, leading to acid reflux. This is because the tumours on the ovaries directly impact other organs by pushing and pressing on them. Such an aggressive nature of cancerous cells results in bloating, nausea, etc.

• Dermatomyositis

Whilst this is not a very common condition, it has been a significant pointer of ovarian cancer. Dermatomyositis is a disease wherein inflammation of the skin, and further degeneration takes place. When left untreated, the situation can worsen, leading to muscle weaknesses.

• Changes In Menstrual Cycles

Not every woman gets their period precisely on the due date, which has become very normal today. Although menstrual irregularities can be caused due to unhealthy dietary patterns and lifestyle habits, you might also be missing your period due to malignant ovaries.

• Fatigue

In the case of ovarian cancer, tiredness is generally caused by anaemia, the deficiency of red blood cells or RBCs. Cancerous cells can hinder the production of your RBCs, thereby creating a shortage of thoroughly oxygenated blood in your body, which ultimately tires you.

• Pain During Sexual Intercourse

Another strong indicator of this type of ovarian cancer is experiencing pain during sexual intercourse.  Known as Dyspareunia, both generalised and one-sided pain signify disturbed and unhealthy reproductive organs, especially ovaries.

• Shortness Of Breath

Breathlessness accompanied by chest pains is the result of metastasis of ovarian cancer to the lungs. Easily running out of breath or facing any sort of respiratory problems should be given attention, followed by appropriate consultation and diagnosis.

• Frequent Vaginal Bleeding

The inexorable growth of cancerous cells in the ovaries can cause vaginal bleedings out of menstrual cycles, which can be pretty uncontrollable. Other related signs include the occurrence of blisters in the pubic area, discolouration of the skin, etc.

• Appetite Changes

As mentioned earlier, the tumours in the ovaries can take up space in your digestive system. It can also result in loss of appetite or feeling full all the time.

• Loss Of Weight

A sudden, unexplained drop in your weight should not be treated as a blessing. Instead, you must seek medical advice as soon as possible as it might be due to ovarian cancer.

• Constipation And Diarrhoea 

This type of cancer also affects bowel movements adversely, letting your face constipation and diarrhoea alternately. 

• Frequent Urination

Kidneys are at a high risk of getting deteriorated due to ovarian cancer spreading its reach throughout the body. As a result, experiencing frequent urination can be common and should not be taken lightly.

Conclusion

Your task does not end at becoming knowledgeable about the symptoms of ovarian cancer to lead a healthy life. The best way to avoid such devastating diseases is to go for regular check-ups, twice a year if possible. This way, even if you’re diagnosed with it, you can avail yourself of the best ovarian cancer treatment in time and give yourself a new life.