Ovar'coming Together
Indiana's Nonprofit Resource & Education Organization for Ovarian Cancer
Our Mission
Create Awareness
Support Survivors &
Caregivers
Fund Research
Ovar'coming Together, Inc.
2625 N. Meridian Street, Suite #108, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Toll Free: 855-855-OVAR | Ph: 317-925-6643 | Fax: 317-925-6673
1-855-855-OVAR
Ovar'coming Together, Inc. © 2012
Ovarian Cancer and its Symptoms
Ovarian cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells).
Historically ovarian cancer was called the “silent killer” because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies have shown this term is untrue and that, in fact, the following symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population:
* Bloating
* Pelvic or abdominal pain
* Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
* Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies. The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease.
Other symptoms that have been commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer include: Fatigue, Indigestion, Back pain, Pain with intercourse, Constipation and Menstrual irregularities.
However, these other symptoms are not as useful in identifying ovarian cancer because they are also found in equal frequency in women in the general population who do not have ovarian cancer.
Know Your Body.
Know the Symptoms.
If you have symptoms lasting 3 weeks or more, and they are persistent AND unusual for you, you should see your doctor.
Use this SYMPTOM DIARY to track your symptoms.
