Introduction – What is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian Cancer is called the "Silent Killer" because it rarely causes noticeable symptoms until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Its early signs are subtle, vague, and can easily be mistaken for common digestive, urinary, or hormonal issues, leading many women to overlook them.

Ovaries are located deep within the pelvic structure; therefore, any tumours growing out of them cause no outward problems in the human body. Symptoms often align with conditions related to casual indigestion or menopausal discomfort in the lower abdomen, causing women to disregard these symptoms. Understanding these risk factors and recognising the early warning signs can help women seek timely medical attention, improving the chances of early diagnosis and successful Ovarian Cancer treatment in Kolkata or any specialised cancer care centre. Early detection provides a wider range of treatment options, better recovery prospects, and significantly improved clinical outcomes.

Why is Ovarian Cancer called ‘The Silent Killer’?

If not under regular monitoring, discrepancies in the ovaries are overlooked, as symptoms are usually reflected through menstrual side effects and indigestion. Most women ignore the symptoms as these are not uncommon in daily life. This delayed diagnosis is one of the main reasons ovarian cancer has earned the reputation of being a "silent killer."

At Kolkata Oncology, we provide regular checks of ovarian health through simple diagnostic tests that women can perform on a quarterly or biannual basis. Being aware of persistent symptoms, attending regular gynaecological check-ups, understanding personal risk factors, and having timely access to specialised Ovarian Cancer treatment in Kolkata can significantly improve outcomes and enhance a patient's quality of life.

10 Symptoms Women Often Ignore In Ovarian Cancer

The crucial step of receiving timely intervention and appropriate treatment depends on women understanding and recognising the symptoms and warning signs their bodies provide.

1. Urgent and frequent urination

Urine frequency, urgency, pressure, and an increase in nighttime urination are symptoms that should be taken seriously if they have increased in number over a period of 3-4 months. A sudden increase indicates the presence of an ovarian tumour putting pressure on the bladder area. Often disregarded or overlooked as a urinary tract infection or age-related concerns, these symptoms require medical consultation.

2. Bowel changes

Bowel changes as a result of indigestion or bloating, namely diarrhoea, constipation, or increased gas, are common once in a while. A sudden increase in bowel movements or discrepancies in the bowels are a cause for concern. When digestive symptoms become persistent and are accompanied by bloating or pelvic discomfort, further evaluation is important.

3. Persistent Abdominal Bloating

Bloating or swelling during periods is common and usually happens due to an enlarged uterus, which calms down after the active bleeding phase. However, persistent bloating and abdominal swelling without any plausible reason should definitely be a cause for concern and indicate a problem in the uterus or ovary.

4. Pelvic or Lower Abdominal Pain

Consistent lower abdominal pain that happens without any obvious reason is a definite cause for concern that requires medical consultation, as these are indicators of Ovarian Cancer.

5. Loss of Appetite

A sudden loss of appetite or feeling uncomfortably full after a small meal is not a good sign of a proper and well-functioning digestive tract. This also indicates that the digestion process is being obstructed by surrounding organs, leading to unsatisfactory food intake and subsequent weight loss.

6. Unexplained Fatigue

Hormonal imbalances around periods are common because of the uterine rupture, resulting in fatigue that is more than usual. However, consistent fatigue, low energy levels, and feelings of weakness, present for days and weeks, are uncommon and should be taken seriously for medical consultation.

7. Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain

Sudden changes in body weight without any shift in dietary plans or exercise are a genuine cause for concern. Weight loss may occur due to insufficient food intake. In contrast, weight gain may occur due to the accumulation of amniotic fluid sacs around the uterus, making the abdomen area look bigger and heavier.

8. Back Pain

Persistent lower back pain without injury or muscle strain can occasionally be associated with ovarian cancer. As the disease progresses, pressure on nearby tissues and nerves may contribute to chronic discomfort in the lower back or pelvis.

9. Menstrual Cycle shifts or abnormal vaginal bleeding

A rapid shift in menstrual cycles, mostly during the time of menopause, is a cause for concern; however, this is not one of the major symptoms of ovarian cancer. Changes in menstrual cycles are mainly related to hormonal changes, and therefore this is not a direct symptom of ovarian cancer.

10. Painful Sexual Intercourse

Sexual Intercourse should not be painful for both parties. Therefore, pain near the vaginal opening or inside the vaginal canal is a cause for concern that is directly related to any untoward vaginal infection or ovarian cancer.

The Significance of Early Consultation with an Oncologist

Although ovarian cancer can develop at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in women after menopause. The risk is also higher in women with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, inherited genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, or certain reproductive and hormonal factors.

Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

One or two of the above-mentioned symptoms are neither a cause for concern nor require immediate medical consultation. However, consistent patterns of symptoms that can be seen for weeks or months are a genuine cause for concern, where consultation from an expert Oncologist is mandatory. Early assessment can help identify not only ovarian cancer but also many other treatable conditions. Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer is manifold and dependent entirely on the stage and condition of the diagnosed cancer.

Common treatment options for Ovarian Cancer include:

Surgery

Surgery is often the primary treatment and aims to remove as much of the tumour as possible.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy helps destroy cancer cells that remain after surgery or shrink tumours before surgery.

Targeted Therapy

Certain medicines target specific genetic or molecular changes within cancer cells, offering a more personalised treatment approach.

Immunotherapy

Although still in the developing stages, immunotherapy may benefit selected patients depending on tumour characteristics.

Treatment plans are typically developed by a multidisciplinary team involving gynaecologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and specialised nursing staff.

Conclusion – Can Ovarian Cancer be prevented?

Ovarian cancer is called the "silent killer" because its symptoms often develop gradually and resemble common everyday health concerns. While it does not mean that these symptoms are definite signs of Ovarian Cancer, a culmination of these symptoms is crucial for understanding the presence of Cancer.

While ovarian cancer cannot be completely prevented, adopting a healthy lifestyle and being aware of your personal risk factors may help reduce the risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, attending regular gynaecological check-ups, understanding your family history, and seeking genetic counselling or medical advice if you have inherited genetic mutations are important preventive measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why ovarian cancer is called the silent killer?
A: It is called the silent killer because its early symptoms are subtle, non-specific, and often mistaken for common digestive or urinary problems, delaying diagnosis.

Q: What are the common symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
A: Persistent abdominal bloating is one of the earliest and most commonly reported symptoms, although symptoms vary from person to person.

Q: At what age is ovarian cancer most common?
A: Ovarian cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 50, particularly after menopause, although younger women can also be affected.

Q: Can ovarian cancer be detected early?
A: Early detection is challenging because there is no routine screening test for average-risk women. Recognising persistent symptoms and seeking prompt medical evaluation improve the chances of early diagnosis.

Q: Can ovarian cancer be cured?
A: When diagnosed at an early stage, ovarian cancer has a significantly better prognosis and may be successfully treated with surgery and other therapies. Outcomes depend on the stage and type of cancer.

Q: How long should symptoms persist before seeing an Ovarian Cancer specialist or an expert Oncologist?
A: If symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pain, urinary urgency, or feeling full quickly occur frequently for more than two to three weeks, medical evaluation is recommended.