How to Spot OVARIAN CANCER

How to Spot OVARIAN CANCER

Learn to spot the symptoms of ovarian cancer

EVERY woman should learn to recognise the signs of ovarian cancer - because the chances of your GP being able to spot it are slim.

Like most forms of the disease, ovarian cancer is highly curable if diagnosed at the earliest stage, but this only happens in one in five cases, says Cancer charity Target Ovarian Cancer.

And almost a third of patients are having to wait more than six months after they first went to see their doctor before getting a diagnosis.

The problem is that some of the symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain are similar to more common conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which make it difficult for doctors to spot. 

Target Ovarian Cancer says it is the combination of symptoms and the pattern in which they appear that is important. Some signs such as persistent bloating and feeling full quickly when eating are particularly significant, especially if they happen frequently. This should alert women to go to their doctor and ask them to investigate.

Ovarian cancer affects one in 50 women in their lifetime (7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK each year) and most cases are diagnosed in women who have gone through the menopause. This means that most ovarian cancer patients are over 50 - but younger women can also get it. In July, Pierce Brosnan’s daughter, Charlotte Emily died of ovarian cancer at the age of 42. The same disease killed her mother Cassandra, the actor’s first wife in 1991.

To address the issue of late or missed diagnoses, Target Ovarian Cancer and Macmillan Cancer Support brought together a group of GPs and women affected by the disease to come up with ideas on how to tackle the problem. They produced the following set of tips for women worried about ovarian cancer.

TIPS ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER 

1. Some symptoms are particularly significant: take note of persistent bloating, pain in the pelvis or abdomen, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly and needing to wee more urgently or often than usual; particularly if the symptoms are new for you, they don’t go away and especially if they happen more than 12 times a month.

2. If you feel something is seriously wrong then act early. After all, you know your own body. Talking to your GP about symptoms might save your life.

3. If you think you need an appointment be assertive. Don’t put it off.

4. If you need more time because you have a number of concerns you can book a double appointment with your GP. Remember telephone appointments may be available if you have a specific issue you would like to discuss

5. Help your GP as much as possible, in advance of your appointment write down anything you want to discuss and if there is something specific such as ovarian cancer you are worried about, then mention it to your GP.

6. Keep a symptom diary if your symptoms persist. This can be useful not only for you but also when you see your GP.

7. If friends or family notice you are unwell or experiencing symptoms, act on their concerns and make an appointment with your GP, don’t dismiss their worries.

8. If your GP asks you to return if things haven’t improved, they really mean it.

9. If tests and investigations are negative and your symptoms persist, go back and see your GP - they are there to help.

10. A normal smear test only rules out cancer of the cervix and not other female cancers such as ovarian and uterine (womb). If you are worried about ovarian cancer then say so

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Pregnancy Facts

Pregnancy facts*

• A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks and is grouped into three trimesters.
• Symptoms of early pregnancy include the absence of menstrual periods, breast changes, tiredness, nausea, mood swings, or other symptoms.
• A pregnancy test measures the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine or blood.
• Symptoms of late pregnancy can include heartburn, difficulty sleeping, swelling of the ankles or fingers, hemorrhoids, and mild contractions.
• By the end of 37 weeks, a baby is considered full term and its organs are ready to function on their own.
• As you near your due date, your baby may turn into a head-down position for birth. Most babies "present" head down.
• Babies at birth typically weigh between 6 pounds 2 ounces and 9 pounds 2 ounces and are 19 to 21 inches long. Most full-term babies fall within these ranges.

Introduction

Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, counting from the first day of your last normal period. The weeks are grouped into three trimesters (TREYE-mess-turs). Find out what's happening with you and your baby in these three stages

What is the first trimester (week 1-week 12)?

During the first trimester your body undergoes many changes. Hormonal changes affect almost every organ system in your body. These changes can trigger symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your period stopping is a clear sign that you are pregnant. Other changes may include:

• Extreme tiredness
• Tender, swollen breasts. Your nipples might also stick out.
• Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness)
• Cravings or distaste for certain foods
• Mood swings
• Constipation (trouble having bowel movements)
• Need to pass urine more often
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Weight gain or loss

As your body changes, you might need to make changes to your daily routine, such as going to bed earlier or eating frequent, small meals. Fortunately, most of these discomforts will go away as your pregnancy progresses. And some women might not feel any discomfort at all! If you have been pregnant before, you might feel differently this time around. Just as each woman is different, so is each pregnancy.

What is the second trimester (week 13-week 28)?

Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first. But it is just as important to stay informed about your pregnancy during these months.

You might notice that symptoms like nauseaand fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move!

As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have:

• Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
• Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
• Darkening of the skin around your nipples
• A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline
• Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Patches often match on both sides of the face. This is sometimes called themask of pregnancy
• Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome
• Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite,vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.)
• Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)

• Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first. But it is just as important to stay informed about your pregnancy during these months.
  You might notice that symptoms like nauseaand fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move!
  As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have:
  • Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
  • Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
  • Darkening of the skin around your nipples
  • A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline
  • Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Patches often match on both sides of the face. This is sometimes called themask of pregnancy
  • Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet. (Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite,vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.)
  • Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)

What is the third trimester (week 29-week 40)?

You're in the home stretch! Some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue. Plus, many women find breathing difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. This is because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don't worry, your baby is fine and these problems will lessen once you give birth.

Some new body changes you might notice in the third trimester include:

• Shortness of breath
• Heartburn
• Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)
• Hemorrhoids
• Tender breasts, which may leak a watery pre-milk called colostrum (kuh-LOSS-struhm)
• Your belly button may stick out
• Trouble sleeping
• The baby "dropping," or moving lower in your abdomen
• Contractions, which can be a sign of real or false labor

As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your doctor will check your progress with a vaginal exam as you near your due date. Get excited — the final countdown has begun!

THANKS TO..............................................................

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