Ovarian cancer accounts for about 4% of cancers in women but its insidious nature makes it difficult to diagnose. Because the presence of symptoms can indicate the disease is widespread, this cancer can be quite lethal. Only about 29% of all ovarian cancers are caught in the early stages when survival rates can be as high as 90% after 5 years. If you believe you may be at high risk for this type of cancer, talk to your physician about the best methods of testing.

Because symptoms can be vague and non-specific, it is important to check with your doctor if you have any of the following:

• General abdominal discomfort and/or pain (gas, indigestion, pressure, swelling, bloating, cramps)
• Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or frequent urination
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling of fullness even after a light meal
• Weight gain or loss with no known reason
• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina