A doctor has shared nine ovarian cancer warning signs, as most people with the disease are diagnosed at a later stage, meaning it is harder to treat.
Ovarian cancer is often labelled a “silent killer”, and Target Ovarian Cancer explains 44% of GPs mistakenly believe symptoms only present in the later stages of the disease, the Mirror reports.
Dr Frankie Jackson-Spencer added: "Ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed until it reaches the late stage due to its symptoms being vague and often overlapping with common/less serious conditions."
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Nine out of 10 women will survive if the cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage. According to the NHS, feeling bloated and experiencing a swollen tummy are common warning signs of ovarian cancer. But there are a number of other red flags that could signal the devastating disease too.
There are nine known symptoms of ovarian cancer that might strike, including a “loss of appetite” and/or “abdominal pain”, warns Dr Jackson-Spencer. Meanwhile, other people may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, unexplained tiredness and a frequent urge to urinate.
Ovarian cancer symptoms could include:
Bloating
Feeling full quickly
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Frequent need to urinate
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Unexplained tiredness
Unexplained weight loss
Change in bowel habits.
Concerningly, just one in five UK women can name bloating as one of the main symptoms of the disease, highlights Target Ovarian Cancer.
Dr Jackson-Spencer continued: "Unlike cervical and breast cancer there aren't robust screening tests for ovarian cancer. So it’s important to get any symptoms checked out by a doctor. Your GP might want to do a blood test, internal examination or refer you for an ultrasound scan."
The women's health expert added: "If caught early, ovarian cancer can be less serious, that’s why it's super important to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible."
Patients who have received radiotherapy treatment for cancers, such as bowel cancer, also face a greater risk. For more information or support about ovarian cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support.
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