The symptoms of Ovarian Cancer – What all women need to know
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month across Australia where every year 1500 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and more than 850 will die from it.
There are currently no tests to detect ovarian cancer like annual Pap Smears to detect cervical cancer, or biennial Mammograms for women aged 50 – 69 to detect early breast tumours. And to add to the difficulty of diagnosis, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are so vague that most women have no idea they are unwell until the disease is advanced; and by then it may be too late to help them make a full recovery.
The Ovarian Cancer Australia organisation has, as its goal, ensuring that every woman in Australia learns what those symptoms are, and is able to monitor herself for them. Symptoms can include abdominal bloating, unexplained abdominal pain, unexplained pelvic pain, feeling full, having difficulty eating properly, an increased sense of pressure or urgency to urinate, or a change in bowel habits. If any of these symptoms are new and persist for more than two weeks the woman is advised to see her GP and ask him or her to consider the possibility of ovarian cancer.
For more information go to www.ovariancancer.net.au, and to show your support for ovarian cancer awareness and research, please wear a teal green ribbon on 25 February 2009. You can purchase ribbons on line, or ring 1300 660 334.