Many women brush off bloating, tiredness or stomach discomfort as part of a stressful routine or an unhealthy week.
But health experts say some of those everyday symptoms can occasionally point to something far more serious.
According to information from the Mayo Clinic and the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer remains one of the hardest cancers to detect early because its warning signs are often vague and easy to dismiss, reports Unilad.
Difficult to spot
British GP Dr Amir Khan recently explained that many women fail to connect the symptoms with ovarian cancer because they rarely seem directly linked to the ovaries.
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That is one reason the disease is frequently diagnosed at a later stage. Doctors say symptoms that continue for several weeks without a clear explanation should never be ignored.
Symptoms women should know
Medical experts highlight several warning signs that appear repeatedly in ovarian cancer patients:
- Persistent bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Feeling full quickly while eating
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained fatigue
Some women may also experience weight loss, digestive problems or lower back pain.
Risk increases with age
Researchers say several factors may increase the risk of ovarian cancer, including older age, obesity, inherited BRCA gene mutations and a family history of the disease.
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Doctors continue to stress that early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Because of that, women are being encouraged to seek medical advice if symptoms continue for more than a few weeks, even if they seem minor at first.
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