KEY POINTS

  • Ovarian cancer affects a lot of women today
  • One possible cause of an increased number of cases is the failure to detect the symptoms right away
  • Health experts say that you should be wary of symptoms that could appear when you go to the toilet

Ovarian cancer affects many women today. In fact, due to the rate of females who are affected by the disease, many women would go for cancer preventive vaccines. Most of the time, the inability to detect the symptoms when they appear, warrants the condition to get worse. When the time comes that patients are able to see their doctors and receive the news, the disease has already progressed.

A woman who suffers from ovarian cancer must be aware of the symptoms that appear at the early stages of the disease. When you go to the bathroom, take notice of one symptom that you are most likely to find.

A Change In Bowel Habits

One of the symptoms that women must be aware of is a change in their bowel habits. According to Mayo Clinic, these changes would include constipation or diarrhea. As per the health site, these changes that you notice in your bowel habits could be brought about by cancer that has already spread. It is also possible that there is pressure from the fluid buildup in the area.

Aside from constipation and diarrhea, you also need to watch out for blood in your stool. This is a warning sign that must have you running to the doctor at the earliest.

ovarian cancer symptoms toilet
ovarian cancer symptoms toilet cocoparisienne - Pixabay

More Symptoms To Watch Out For

Aside from the changes in your bowel habits, there are other symptoms of ovarian cancer that you have to be aware of. You may feel that your stomach is swelling, or that you feel full quickly when you eat. You may also undergo a sudden weight loss and discomfort in the pelvic area. At times, you may also feel the need to urinate frequently. During sex, women who suffer from ovarian cancer would often complain about pain.

The Cause

Health experts have not exactly pinpointed the cause of ovarian cancer. What they have determined so far were the risk factors that put a woman at a higher probability of suffering from the disease. The risk factors would include age, lifestyle, and health. Studies have shown that women aged 75 and 79 are at a higher risk.

Those who smoke are also said to be at a higher risk of developing cancer. Being overweight and obese are likewise risk factors.

As for prevention, studies have shown that breastfeeding and pregnancy reduce the risk of the disease. So it is highly advisable for moms to breastfeed their babies.