10 Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer – The Silent Killer!

Ovarian cancer is also known as “the silent killer” because of its subtle symptoms that seem like menstrual symptoms. For women, this is one of the most dangerous cancers. According to the American Cancer Study, only 20-30% of women diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer are alive 5 years later. This means that 70-80 percent of the women pass away.

There is not a good screening test that detects ovarian cancer. Often, it is discovered in an advanced stage because there are several symptoms that women can sense that something is not right. They may experience something like bowel sluggishness or menstrual symptoms and it can be a mild congestion in the pelvis or a feeling of fullness or bloating in the lower abdomen.

The risk of developing this disease can increase with the age. Ovarian cancer is the 2nd most common gynecological cancer and the 5th most common cancer in women in America. The death rate of this cancer is higher than for any other cancer in women due to its late detection.

If you deal with new and unusual symptoms that last more than 2 weeks, do not neglect them and seek help from your doctor. Get a pelvic exam and don’t let doctors tell you your symptoms are too mild to be taken seriously. Also, don’t let them say you are experiencing digestive issues or inflammatory bowel syndrome and that your feeling is normal of menstrual or menopausal symptoms. Doctors should take seriously all the women that come to doctors with abdominal symptoms.

The best way is to do a (transvaginal) pelvic ultrasound and a pelvic exam that doctors check manually for any abdominal growths. If there is something suspicious, you can have a blood test that includes HE4 and CA125 and CT scan.

The exploratory surgery may confirm the diagnosis. There are specialized doctors that focus on cancer in women – gynecologic oncologic surgeons and gynecologic oncologists, and surgeons that specialize in gynecologic surgeries. The best advice is to seek an opinion from a specialist than for a generalist who is more experienced for the best evaluation and care.

More valid diagnosis, appropriate treatment and better results can be given from the gynecologist surgeons. Find a doctor that can positively evaluate the stage of the cancer and the recurrence’s level of risk.

Researchers from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center say that women with a family history of colorectal, breast and ovarian cancers may be at bigger risk. This mean than women should think about more pelvic exams with CA 125 blood test and ultrasound at least twice a year.

Below you can read the signs that are common for ovarian cancer, but also to many other diseases. That is why a thoughtful and thorough work-up is important. Make sure you don’t wait more than 2 weeks if the symptoms continue. Also, you don’t have to have all the symptoms because even one of them can be the clue that can save your life.

10 essential warning signs:


  • Frequent urination
  • Pain during sex
  • Fatigue
  • Appetite loss and feeling full after eating
  • Pressure, bloating, and fullness
  • Discomfort in the pelvis and pain
  • Indigestion or persistent gas
  • Constipation
  • Abdomen size incensement
  • Pain in the lower back