Ovarian Colorado
Information for Providers
Symptoms
Ovarian cancer has been described as the disease that “whispers” because the symptoms, while present, are often and easily attributed to other causes. Recent research on the symptoms of ovarian cancer indicate that almost 90% of women with early diagnosis of the disease had symptoms.
Another major reason for late diagnosis is the belief that ovarian cancer is asymptomatic until advanced stages of the disease. However, studies have shown that women with ovarian cancer, even in the early stages, have symptoms for several months prior to diagnosis. One survey revealed that 70% of women had symptoms for 3 months or longer before diagnosis, and 35% had symptoms for at least 6 months. Overall, only 5 % were asymptomatic, or conversely 95% are symptomatic. In Stage I and II, only 11% were asymptomatic. Abdominal symptoms were present in approximately 75% and half had pain or constitutional symptoms.
These symptoms include:
- abdominal bloating
- fatigue
- abdominal pain
- urinary frequency
- indigestion
- pelvic pain
- back pain
- constipation
- abnormal vaginal bleeding
- painful intercourse
It is important for both the patient and the provider to investigate thoroughly sources of symptoms.
Age At Diagnosis
The median age for ovarian cancer is approximately 60 years of age, so it is particularly important to consider the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women with these symptoms and to take the appropriate steps to confirm the diagnosis. However, if the median age is 60, this means that half of the women who are diagnosed are younger. The median age at diagnosis for women who carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is 52 years.