Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

For most women, there are no early symptoms of ovarian cancer. In many cases, once symptoms do appear, such as abdominal swelling or vaginal bleeding after menopause, the disease is already in an advanced stage. While pain is not one of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer, any woman experiencing pain should see her doctor, as it could be an indication of another, albeit less serious, condition.

 

Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer: An Overview

There are no classic early symptoms of ovarian cancer. This is one reason that this type of cancer is oftentimes referred to as a silent disease. In fact, most ovarian cancers are diagnosed when they are already in an advanced stage.
 

Is Pain One of the Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?

Early ovarian cancer usually does not cause pain. Still, a woman should see her healthcare provider for any pain in the pelvis or abdomen, or any other possible ovarian cancer symptoms, as early as possible so that problems can be diagnosed and treated. Keep in mind that, in many cases, problems in the ovaries are not actually due to cancer but to other, less serious health problems.
 

Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer: Final Thoughts

While in most women, there are usually no early symptoms of ovarian cancer, there are things that can be done to help decrease the risk of developing the disease. By being aware of risk factors for ovarian cancer and taking certain preventive measures, a women may be able to decrease her chances of developing the disease (see Ovarian Cancer Prevention).
 
(Click Ovarian Cancer Symptoms to learn about symptoms that can occur in later stages of the disease.)
 
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD