Too often, ovarian cancer is discovered in its late stages. That’s because the symptoms are things most women experience fairly regularly. It’s only when they persist that they become indicators of something wrong. Here are the symptoms:
-Bloating
-Pelvic or abdominal pain
-Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
-Urinary difficulties, like having to pee more often than usual or having a more urgent feeling when you need to pee
Most women experience at least one of those every month. What’s uncommon and could mean trouble is having these symptoms for more than two weeks. If you reach the two-week mark on any of the above symptoms, get in touch with your primary care provider. You need a pelvic exam and a pelvic ultrasound to determine whether your ovaries are healthy.
If you’re dealing with ovarian cancer or just have questions, please plan to attend our free Women’s Health Educational Seminar at 6 p.m. on September 21 at Marten House (1801 W. 86th Street). Julie Schnieders, a nurse practitioner at St.Vincent Women’s Hospital, will host, and gynecologic oncologist Dr. Michael Callahan will answer your questions about ovarian and other women’s cancers, talk about treatment options, and take you through the details of symptoms.
Register by calling 317-338-CARE today.