If you take a look at the symptoms below, you will realize why ovarian cancer is misdiagnosed so frequently. The most important thing to note is that these symptoms will typically represent a deviation from how you normally feel. It is recommended that you should consult with your doctor if you experience some (or all) of these symptoms almost every day for two weeks straight.

This is because the symptoms of ovarian cancer are often nondescript and can be easily mistaken for other conditions; such as IBS or UTIs. Although these symptoms can be subtle, it's important to understand what they are and how to investigate if you're experiencing them.

The most common symptoms: 

• Abdominal Bloating
• Abdominal/Pelvic Pain
• Frequent and/or Urgent Need to Urinate
• Difficulty Eating, or Feeling Full Quickly
• Lack of Appetite

These symptoms can be indicative of other diseases, but are also often present with ovarian cancer: 

• Change in Bowel Habits (Diarrhea or Constipation)
• Change in Menstrual Periods
• Bleeding Between Periods (or vaginal bleeding AFTER menopause)
• Weight Gain or Loss
• Back Pain
• Pain During Intercourse
• Fatigue/Tiredness

If you notice that you are experiencing the symptoms described above, consult with your primary care physician or gynecologist. Your physician will likely:

1. Perform a Pelvic Exam
2. Perform a Transvaginal Ultrasound
3. Perform a Blood Test for CA-125 (a serum marker in your blood that can be present if you have ovarian cancer)

This is an excerpt from a post written by Food Period and originally published on September 12, 2019.