By: Trevor Price

If a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer during the early stages of the disease, her survival rates are excellent (75%) - that means it's critical to keep an eye on potential ovarian cancer warning signs.

Because so many of the symptoms and indicators of the disease are often associated with other ailments, they can go unnoticed, reducing the chances for early diagnosis until after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

To learn more about symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer that you should watch out for, read on. 

Bloating

Constant and persistent bloating is often a clear indicator of ovarian cancer, especially if it's a significant change in a patient's bloating habits. So, if you've noticed an increase in how much and how often you're bloating, talk to you doctor.

Abdominal or Pelvic Pain

Chronic pelvis and stomach pain along with constipation and digestion problems are more common in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Loss of Appetite and Decreased Weight

Another one of many ovarian cancer warning signs is when patients have trouble eating or often feel full even after consuming just a small amount of food. Because of their decreased appetite, weight loss is often common and a powerful indicator for ovarian cancer.

Urinary Problems

Urinary incontinence and a frequent or urgent need to urinate are both common symptoms of ovarian cancer. Patients often compare these symptoms and warning signs to a painless urinary tract infection (UTI). That is, the increased need to urinate but without the burning or pain during urination often associated with a UTI.

Back Pain and General Fatigue

Unfortunately, the fatigue and back pain experienced by many patients with ovarian cancer is similar to pre-menstrual symptoms experienced by many women without the disease. The systems are generalized and not specific enough, but they can be helpful when diagnosing the problem.

However, unlike women without ovarian cancer, patients with this disease typically experience these symptoms on most days, not just several days a month.

Family History

If you know that your family has a history of ovarian cancer, it's important to tell your doctor and be screened or evaluated on an ongoing basis. Essentially, if one immediate family member or two members of your extended family have been diagnosed with the disease, then it could be a clear warning sign and an indicator that you need to watch out for possible symptoms.

The good news is that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce many of these warning signs, and early detection often results in a stronger prognosis. So, watch your body, be aware of changes and don't be afraid to consult with your physician.