7 Signs of Ovarian Cancer You Might Be Ignoring

Why are ovarian cancer symptoms so silent?

The five-year relative survival rate for all types of ovarian cancer is 45 percent—but that number rises to 92 percent if the cancer is caught in stage IA or IB, before it spreads beyond the ovary, according to the American Cancer Society. Sadly, because ovarian cancer symptoms can be hard to recognize, about 70 percent of cases aren’t caught until they’ve advanced to stage III or IV, when chances of survival are much lower, says Kevin Holcomb, MD, director of gynecologic oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Ovarian cancer isn’t really a silent disease,” Dr. Holcomb says. “A significant number of women with ovarian cancer have symptoms in the months and weeks leading up to diagnosis. Unfortunately, many are vague and nonspecific. … Ovarian cancer whispers, so you have to listen closely.” Unlike breast cancer, no tests have been developed to screen regularly for ovarian cancer accurately, which makes the cancer hard to detect unless you report symptoms early yourself. If you’ve been feeling more than one symptom for a week or more, ask your doctor about getting a pelvic examination, transvaginal sonogram, or a CA 125 blood test, which can help detect ovarian cancer. These are the things OB-GYNs wish you knew about ovarian cancer.

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