Knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer

What are the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer? Many women suffer and die needlessly because they are diagnosed with this deadly disease after it's too late to do anything about it. For this reason, it's important to know more about it and protect your health.

Why I Care About Ovarian Cancer

A Personal Note:In September 2005, my 85 year old mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Within a week of her diagnosis, she died. No one-not even my mother-even suspected that she had this disease.

The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are very much like the symptoms of other diseases. My mother had diverticulosis so the symptoms that she thought were from that health problem-gas, nausea, pain in her abdomen-were most likely from the cancer that was invading her body.

She visited her doctor frequently but he never suspected she might have this problem. She took care of her health and watched her diet carefully. As far as I know, this is the first and only case of ovarian cancer in my family.

Before my mother died, I didn't know anything about ovarian cancer. Now, I know that the cure rate (more than 5 cancer-free years) is 90%...if it's discovered and treated on time! If we had only known, we might have been able to do something. We could have had more time to say goodbye and enjoy her remaining time with us.

I can tell you from personal experience that having ovarian cancer is a horrible way to die. I never want to see anyone suffer the way my mom suffered. That's why I want to help by making women aware of ovarian cancer.

The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer

sense of pelvic heaviness

vague lower abdominal discomfort

vaginal bleeding

weight gain or loss

abnormal menstrual cycles

unexplained back pain that worsens over time

increased abdominal girth

non specific gastrointestinal symptoms: increased gas

indigestion

lack of appetite

nausea and vomiting

inability to ingest usual volumes of food bloating

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

increased urinary frequency/urgency

excessive hair growth

For more on signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, click here


Talk to your doctor about your risks for ovarian cancer! Click here for access to a "conversation starter", part of the "Break the Silence" program developed by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.


Healthy Living for Moms is promoting awareness of Ovarian Cancer symptoms all year long.

You can help by signing a petition to put Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month on a postage stamp.

Or you make a donation through Paypal with your credit card. Click the button above. All funds donated will be forwarded to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

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