Cancer that affects the cells in the ovaries is called ovarian cancer. This form of cancer can be successfully treated if diagnosed early, so women should keep a check on the changes in their bodies and watch out for certain early warning signs of ovarian cancer. This facilitates early diagnosis, and the 5-year survival rate of the disease is 80% if it is diagnosed and treated early.

Here are some of the early warning signs of ovarian cancer women should know about and seek immediate medical attention for:

• Bloating:  Bloating is a common problem women experience, especially during the menstrual cycles. However, if bloating is persistent for weeks, it is an early warning sign of ovarian cancer as the disease can cause bloating for 3 weeks or more. If bloating is also associated with swelling of the abdomen, women should approach a gynecologist for further examination.
• Abdominal and pelvic pain:  Another early warning sign of ovarian cancer is abdominal and pelvic pain, and some women also complain of constant pain in the lower back. One way women can identify the cause of pain is to relax to check whether the pain alleviates. Abdominal and pelvic pain associated with ovarian cancer does not get better with a massage, rest, or other home remedies.
• Discomfort after eating:  Some women have reported feeling abnormally full even after eating very little, while others experience a drastic drop in appetite. Both of these symptoms are considered early warning signs of ovarian cancer and should be checked.
• Constipation:  Constipation is common in women with ovarian cancer. While constipation may also be caused by digestive issues and other conditions, it should get better with medications, changes in diet, and hydration. However, if the symptom does not seem to get better, women should talk to a doctor about it to know if it is related to ovarian cancer.
• Frequent urge to urinate:  Many women assume that the constant urge to urinate is due to UTIs. However, is the constant urge to urinate is accompanied by pressure on the pelvis and bladder and pain while urinating, it is considered an early warning sign of ovarian cancer and should be checked right away.
• Menstrual irregularities:  If a woman has had an otherwise normal menstrual cycle, changes like abnormally heavy bleeding, skipping a cycle, or extreme pain during menstruation are red flags for this type of cancer, especially if accompanied by one or more of the above-mentioned signs. One should make an appointment with a gynecologist for further examination at the earliest.

Women should consult a doctor immediately if they face issues with their menstrual cycles or experience any other symptoms of ovarian cancer to ensure early diagnosis and timely and successful treatment.