Ovarian cancers are the most common types of cancer in women. The ovaries are a pair of organs found in the female reproductive system. Ovaries are responsible for producing ovum or the eggs. Ovarian cancer is formed when cells in the body begin to grow uncontrollably. It is a general belief that ovarian cancer begins only in the ovaries. But recent evidence proves that in certain cases, ovarian cancers may start in the cells in the far end of the fallopian tubes. The symptoms of ovarian cancer may be unclear. However, researchers have found four major early stage symptoms of ovarian cancer. They include;

Abdominal bloating: Though ovarian cancer is certainly not the most common cause of abdominal bloating, it is considered to be an important cause of abdominal bloating. Abdominal bloating and swelling occurs especially during the premenstrual period or after eating a large meal.

Pelvic pain or pressure: Pelvic pain is a symptom that affects many women leading to more serious conditions like ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus) or cancer. Pelvic pain is generally described as a pressure that may or may not include sharp pains located anywhere in the abdomen below the navel. Many women experience pelvic pain at the time of menstrual periods.

Trouble eating or feeling full quickly with eating:  In cases where ovarian cancer is detected early, there is the sensation of feeling full more quickly after eating an average size meal. Weight loss can also be seen in people where the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

Urinary frequency: People with ovarian cancer always feels the urgency to urinate. This is due to the pressure on the bladder from a tumor, and also due to hormonal changes caused by some tumors.

There are also other common symptoms found with ovarian cancer that occur only when the tumor reaches the advanced stage. They are as follows;

Changes in bowel habits: Changes in bowels habits are the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer that includes both constipation and diarrhea. Tumors in the abdomen may result in a bowel obstruction during the advanced stage of ovarian cancer. The symptoms of bowel obstruction may include severe abdominal pain and vomiting.

Unintentional weight loss or weight gain: In the advanced stage, the patient may experience cachexia. Cachexia is a syndrome characterized by weight loss, loss of muscle mass, and loss of appetite. In contrast, a patient in the advanced stages of ovarian cancer may experience weight gain, which often happens rapidly due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

Fluid collection in the abdomen: Ascites is the medical term that is used to describe the abnormal fluid collection in the abdomen. This causes abdominal swelling during the advanced stages of ovarian cancer.

Fatigue: During the advanced stage of ovarian cancer, the cancer cells compete with healthy cells for energy, further leading to fatigue. The fatigue caused by these cells is different in nature.

If you regularly experience any one or more of the above symptoms, it is important to check with the doctor. Generally, ovarian cancers can be cured or at least treated to relieve the symptoms when detected in its early stages.