An expert on ovarian cancer has shared nine of the warning signs that indicated the deadly disease women should look out for.
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most deadly cancer in women in the UK, causing around 4,100 deaths every single year. It is sometimes subbed a 'silent killer', as symptoms often only appear when the disease has progressed and it is harder to cure. Two-thirds of women are diagnosed only after the disease has reached the later stages.
In fact, studies have show that 44 per cent of GPs mistakenly believe that symptoms of the disease are only detectable once the cancer has advanced , according the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity, Target Ovarian Cancer.
Dr Frankie Jackson-Spencer said: "Ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed until it reaches the late stage due to its symptoms being vague and often overlapping with common/less serious conditions."
Ovarian cancer is often called a "silent killer" because its symptoms can be hard to spot (Getty Images)If diagnosed at the earliest stage, survival of ovarian cancer skyrockets to 90%, compared to just 31% when diagnosed at stage 4. This means that symptom awareness is hugely important as the sooner women can recognise they may have symptoms of the disease, the sooner they can get it checked out.
What are your tips for getting back into shape after Christmas?
The NHS lists feeling bloated and experiencing a swollen tummy are common warning signs, but Dr Jackson-Spencer suggests that there are a number of other signs and symptoms to look out for, including but not limited to "abdominal pain" and "loss of appetite". Unusual vaginal bleeding, fatigue and the frequent need to urinate are also red flags.
Ovarian cancer symptoms could include:
Bloating
Feeling full quickly
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Frequent need to urinate
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Unexplained tiredness
Unexplained weight loss
A twitching eye can sometimes be serious - signs, symptoms and when to see a GP
Change in bowel habits.
Concerningly, just one in five UK women can name bloating as one of the main symptoms of the disease, highlights Target Ovarian Cancer. Dr Jackson-Spencer said: "Unlike cervical and breast cancer there aren't robust screening tests for ovarian cancer. So it’s important to get any symptoms checked out by a doctor. Your GP might want to do a blood test, internal examination or refer you for an ultrasound scan."
She added: "If caught early, ovarian cancer can be less serious, that’s why it's super important to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible."
While there are no specific or exact causes of ovarian cancer, Dr Jackson-Spencer explained that there are a few risk factors that can increase a persons chance of developing the disease. One of the biggest ones is age - those over 65 are at a greater risk of ovarian cancer.
The doctor explained that family history of the disease is also really important, and that having relatives with the disease could mean you are at a higher risk. She added: “Approximately five to 10 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are thought to be hereditary.”
Women who start their periods early, at a younger age than average or go through menopause later in life are also thought to be at increased risk of the disease. Dr Jackson-Spencer said: "The increase in the number of times you ovulate creates more opportunities for cancerous cells to develop."
Finally, patients who have received radiotherapy treatment for cancers, such as bowel cancer, also face a greater risk. For more information or support about ovarian cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
