Medical Keywords - Everything you need to know about health.

Could It Be Ovarian Cancer?

Once referred to as a silent killer of women, ovarian cancer was considered to be symptom free up to the point that the cancerous growths had reach critical mass and most likely already metastasized to other organs. Diagnosis would then be made because of symptoms the other organ systems offered up, thus leading doctors to the source of the problem too late for many a sufferer to undergo successful treatment.

Yet in recent years experts and researchers have determined that when comparing case histories of various patients presenting with ovarian cancer, across the board there appeared to be a general consensus about similar feelings of discomfort that took place well before the diagnosis. This has caused the medical establishment to rectify its opinion of ovarian cancer and it is no longer considered a symptom free illness, but instead one that has symptoms so subtle that unless the patient knows what to look for, they are likely missed or attributed to other problems.

1. It could be ovarian cancer if you feel abdominal bloating. Sure, it might be the food you ate or the period that is just around the corner, but if it continues for more than a week, something might be amiss.

2. There is frequent or recurring pain in the abdomen. Initially many respondents of the studies had suggested that it felt a bit like constipation, bloating, or gas pains, but because the pains lasted so much longer than the average bout of constipation, it soon became obvious that there was more going on than indigestion.

3. Frequent urination is another symptom but sadly is frequently missed since many a woman is religiously meticulous in drinking her water and frequent urination is considered par for the course.

Could it be ovarian cancer? Could it be irritable bowel syndrome? Could it be the onset of another disease or condition that mimics the same symptoms? The "what if" questions may continue endlessly, yet unless a woman is willing to acknowledge the warning signs her body is giving off, precious little will answer her health related worries and questions. Too often she may think them to be too minor to mention to her doctor or - what makes this disease so insidious - she will learn to live with them.

Although adaptability is a coveted trait in the theory of evolution, when it comes to detecting the early warning signs of ovarian cancer, it may be a contributing factor to death. Physicians involved in the studies have declared that any of the symptoms individually or in combination with one or both of the others should be grounds for concern and if the symptom persists for one week, heightened attention must be paid. If two weeks go by and the systems persist, a doctor's appointment must be scheduled for the first available time slot and if three weeks pass and the symptoms continue, it is time to set up an appointment with a specialist.

Could it be ovarian cancer? Maybe; either way, you owe it to yourself and those who love you to find out for sure.