October 21, 2009
Symptoms of Ovarian & Peritoneal Cancer
Many of you have asked me to devote one post to the symptoms of ovarian cancer and primary peritoneal cancer. This is the answer to that request.
First of all I want to stress that it is possible to get ovarian cancer even if you have had a total hysterectomy (including removal of ovaries) as I did. As women, we MUST learn to listen to our bodies and to be able to describe the changes we are feeling in them. WE must be pro-active and assertive in seeking medical care. Portland Firefly was very fortunate that her inital doctor (at the urgent care center) immediately suspected the possibility of a cancer diagnosis and he ordered many of the tests that led to that eventual diagnosis by my primary care physician after a hospital stay for many more tests.
I was very ill and I knew it. I was sick in a way that I have never been sick before. I had been experiencing more and more fatigue over the previous two months. My waist and abdomen were getting larger (bloating, but I didn’t ‘feel’ bloated) but my jeans were still loose around the hips and thighs. I started feeling a little queasy, then the diarrhea started. I noticed that my skin color was very bad ~~ I was ashen grey. It was only after staying in bed for three days that I drug myself to the Urgent Care Center three blocks away where I was sent to the hospital for admission. I was too sick to be home alone and I knew it.
The following is copied from the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition website: http://www.ovarian.org/
“Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect, especially, in the early stages. This is partly due to the fact that these two small, almond shaped organs are deep within the abdominal cavity, one on each side of the uterus. These are some of the potential signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach or heartburn
- Back pain
- Pain during sex
- Constipation
- Menstrual changes
If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, consult your physician.
Persistence of Symptoms
When the symptoms are persistent, when they do not resolve with normal interventions (like diet change, exercise, laxatives, rest) it is imperative for a woman to see her doctor. Persistence of symptoms is key. Because these signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer have been described as vague or silent, only around 19% of ovarian cancer is found in the early stages. Symptoms typically occur in advanced stages when tumor growth creates pressure on the bladder and rectum, and fluid begins to form and accumulate in the abdomen (bloating).”
Portland Firefly wants to add that these symptoms may also include:
An unexplained weight loss or gain of 10 pounds.
Constipation or diahrrea
Pelvic, back or leg pain
Initially, I thought that I had the flu, and so with the flu season upon us, please do not mistake ovarian cancer symptoms for the flu. Remember run, do not walk, to your doctors if you have a few of these symptoms. Do not wait. Insist on a complete pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 blood test.
This is the website of The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and Southwest Washington: http://www.ovariancancerosw.org/
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition web site: http://www.ovarian.org/
