Back pain – expressive
Flatulence, loss of appetite and back pain can be symptoms of ovarian cancer
Two-thirds of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed late and kills one in seven patients within two months of diagnosis due to the lack of an effective tool that helps in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, according to what was published by the British “Daily Mail”.
But there are signs that can give a head start in early diagnosis and the opportunity to receive treatment at the earliest possible stage, including the appearance of abdominal bloating in addition to loss of appetite, the need to urinate more and back pain, according to Dr. Sharon Tate, chief of primary care development at the University. Target Ovarian Cancer: “If cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it is easier to treat.”
Flatulence
Flatulence is usually a telltale sign of constipation or a side effect of overeating fatty foods or soft drinks, but experts warn that persistent bloating is also a symptom of ovarian cancer, which should not be ignored.
Some women develop visible football-sized lumps that can be mistaken for pregnancy bumps, while it might be a bulge due to ascites, i.e. the presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Cancer Research UK says: “When cancer cells spread to the lining of the abdomen, they can irritate it causing fluid to build up. Cancer can also block part of the lymphatic system so that fluid cannot drain from the abdomen as normal.”
The speed of feeling full
Loss of appetite — or a feeling of fullness following eating — can be another sign of ovarian cancer. Experts explain that the rapid feeling of fullness may be due to swelling or ascites, as the accumulated fluid leads to “a feeling of nausea, discomfort, or the patient feels really full” and does not want to eat or feels full quickly once you start eating any meal.
Back ache
When diagnosing back pain, there can be some confusion when no direct etiology is apparent, but it may be a common symptom of ovarian cancer.
The tumor can cause persistent pain in the abdomen, hips, and pelvis. Although it may appear unrelated to ovarian cancer, experts say that if the tumor spreads to the abdomen or pelvis, it may irritate the tissues in the lower back.
Needing to urinate more
Needing to go to the toilet more often may be a sign of diabetes or other conditions. But it might also be a symptom of ovarian cancer. It’s a sign of ovarian cancer that’s not widely known, says Dr. Tate, but that the urge to urinate might be caused by a tumor or ascites.
When a tumor grows in the pelvic area, in this case on the ovaries, it can put pressure on the bladder — leading to frequent visits to the toilet.
Internal pressure can also block the ureters, the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder, according to Cancer Research, which also indicates that the inability to drain urine causes the kidneys to enlarge.
unusual bleeding
Bleeding between periods, or even following menopause, can be a sign of ovarian cancer. In most cases, abnormal bleeding is a sign of a hormonal imbalance, but experts recommend a specialist examination because heavy and irregular bleeding, especially between menstrual periods, can be warning signs of a tumor, which can disrupt the menstrual cycle and affect hormones. According to the American Cancer Society, many tumors produce “the female hormone estrogen, which can cause vaginal bleeding even if the patient has reached what is called the “menopause.”