The early signs of ovarian cancer often go unnoticed. It is predominantly because a lot of these signs are similar to other types of illnesses. However, if these signs are persistent or frequent, one should visit a doctor for a diagnosis. So, here is a list of early signs and diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Be careful because the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

Symptoms

• Bloating in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Weird pressure on the abdomen
• Inability to eat
• Increase in the frequency of urination
• An incessant urge to pee

In addition to this, ovarian cancer might also lead to some other symptoms. These include:

• Indigestion
• Back pain
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Sex becomes painful
• Menstrual irregularities
• Inflamed muscles
• Weakness in the muscles
• Skin rashes

However, what’s important to note is that these symptoms are fairly common, and might be because of several other reasons. They aren’t necessarily linked to ovarian cancer. If one notices more than a few of the listed signs, they should immediately reach out to a doctor. If these early signs are related to cancer, they’ll go on for a longer duration than normal, or might come back again frequently. Moreover, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are far more severe and aggravate with the growth in the tumor or the spread of cancer.

Diagnosis
Analysis of early signs and diagnosis of ovarian cancer go hand in hand. If one reaches out to a doctor with different symptoms, he’ll perform different diagnostic tests to examine whether or not these symptoms relate to ovarian cancer. Some common diagnosis options are as follows:

Surgery: At times, the signs of ovarian cancer are not clear. So, the doctor will have to remove the ovary and check it for analyzing the signs of ovarian cancer.

Blood tests: As part of the blood tests, there’ll be an examination of the different organs. It is necessary to ensure that all the organs are working just fine. A blood test might also be done to check the tumor markers, which could be an indication of ovarian cancer. For instance, there’s a CA 125, i.e., Cancer Antigen Test performed to look for the protein, which is primarily found on the top surface of the unhealthy cells. Though this wouldn’t tell the doctor about the presence of cancer, it will certainly give substantial clues on prognosis and diagnosis.

Pelvic exam: In this, the doctor will insert a glove-covered finger in the vagina, and side by side, press one’s abdomen with the hand to feel the pelvic organs. It will also include a physical examination of the cervix, vagina, and genitalia.

Imaging tests: Here, tests like CT scans and ultrasound of the pelvis and the abdomen are performed to check the structure, size, and shape of the ovaries.