Most ovarian cancer patients may experience abdominal symptoms

Since the ovaries are located in the pelvic cavity, most ovarian cancer patients may experience abdominal symptoms such as abdominal distension and abdominal pain. Some patients are misdiagnosed because of this. For example, there are many patients who are clinically treated for ovarian cancer as enteritis. By the time they are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, they have already entered the middle and late stages.

Ovarian cancer grows rapidly and spreads easily, ranking third among gynecological malignancies. Since the ovaries are hidden deep in the pelvic cavity, the early symptoms of ovarian cancer are not obvious and are often similar to general digestive system symptoms. It is not discovered until the tumor grows to a certain size, exceeds the pelvic cavity, or complications occur.

Continuous abdominal swelling, pressure and pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, difficulty eating, or a sense of fullness, frequent urination or urgency are all symptoms that may appear in patients with ovarian cancer in the early stages. About 95% of women will have at least one symptom related to ovarian cancer before being diagnosed. Among them, 77% have abdominal symptoms, 70% have gastrointestinal symptoms, 58% have pain, 50% have systemic symptoms, 34% have urinary system symptoms, and 26% have pelvic symptoms. Therefore, people at high risk of ovarian cancer must be vigilant about abdominal symptoms.

Tip: Who are the high-risk groups for ovarian cancer?

1. Menopausal women over 50 years old.

2. Women who are unmarried or marry late, infertile or have few children, and not breastfeeding.

3. Infertile people who use ovulation-inducing drugs.

4. Women who like to eat high-fat, high-protein, high-calorie diets.

5. Women with a family history of hereditary ovarian cancer, a family history of breast cancer, or a family history of non-polyp colon cancer.