Signs & Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer You Need to Know

Signs & Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer You Need to Know

Did you know that 1 in 78 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer? It’s the leading cause of death from gynecological cancers in the US and the fifth leading cancer killer for American women. With stats like that, it’s important to know the warning signs and what you can do to prevent a diagnosis. Keep reading to learn more.

Know Your Risk Level

Although the exact cause of ovarian cancer is still unknown, there are some indicators that you might be at a higher risk:

  • Family history of Breast, Ovarian or Colon Cancer
  • Genetic mutations, like BRCA
  • Post-menopausal
  • Increased age (over 40 years)
higher risk Family history of Breast, Ovarian or Colon Cancer Genetic mutations, like BRCA Post-menopausal Increased age (over 40 years)

Luckily, there are also a few factors that decrease your chances of getting ovarian cancer:

  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Taking oral contraceptives

It’s great to know these factors, but even women with no risk factors can get ovarian cancer, so it’s really important to see your doctor regularly and stay up to date with your gynecological visits.

lower risk  Pregnancy Breastfeeding Taking oral contraceptives

Symptoms & Detection

Sadly, the symptoms of early ovarian cancer are pretty mild and can be mistaken for more common issues. Most of the time these symptoms don’t show up until the cancer is advanced. If you start to notice any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks & they are new for your body, you should talk to your doctor immediately:

  • Bloating
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Difficultly eating or you feel full quickly
  • Urgent or frequent urination

Detection is very difficult because regular pelvic and pap exams do not check for ovarian cancer. So it’s very important that you have your regular gynecological exams every year & talk with your doctor about any of the above symptoms you’re having.

If your doctor suspects that you may have an issue, they will perform tests like an ultrasound & blood tests. If you’re at high risk due to genetic factors, doctors may use these tests regularly to monitor your health.

The only way to diagnose ovarian cancer is through a biopsy done via surgery. You’ll want to seek out a gynecological oncologist for the best chance of survival.  If you’re at this stage on your journey, I highly recommend you review the materials & information on the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance website, here.

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signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer what you need to know to protect yourself

Prevention

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent ovarian cancer. However, there are some things that help decrease your risk like taking birth control, pregnancy and breast feeding.

You can also undergo genetic testing if you have a family history of breast, colorectal or ovarian cancer to see if you have the BRCA gene. This will arm you with more information about your risk level and help your doctors monitor you. Just because these genes are present, doesn’t mean you will definitely get cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance is the number one non-government funded organization dedicated to researching ovarian cancer. They’re dedicated to finding easier and better ways to diagnose and treat ovarian cancer, which will eventually lead to a cure.

If you’re concerned that you might have ovarian cancer or are currently battling, contact OCRA for more information by clicking here.

Get Involved with Revive Jewelry

This month’s new release is based on the Ovarian Cancer cell image and paired with a lovely flower petal shaped design. 10% of every pair you purchase will be donated to OCRA so they can continue researching a cure.

The Petals of Courage Earrings

 

Collect all your petals of courage and blossom like the beautiful flower you are with these earrings for Ovarian Cancer Awareness. These earrings remind you to take gentle good care of yourself- like you would a plant- because you deserve it. Use your courage to take a stand for Ovarian Cancer and proudly wear these earrings as a symbol of your part in the fight for a cure.

 

***All content on this website, including medical opinions and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.***

 

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