It can be challenging to check ovarian cancer at an early stage at home. There are no accurate screening tests for ovarian cancer early detection and symptoms. They are vaguely and easily mistaken as gastrointestinal issues like constipation and bloating. This blog will cover How to check for ovarian cancer at home.It is imperative to get proper diagnostic measures and checks from the doctors before taking any symptoms of ovarian cancer. Since it is challenging to identify this cancer, it should not be a disadvantage for women as they can empower themselves by checking for ovarian cancer at home. Early detection of the condition can prevent life-threatening situations.
How to check for Ovarian Cancer at Home? - 5 Symptoms to Notice
Check the main symptoms of ovarian cancer at home
One can check ovarian cancer symptoms at home for 12 months or more before it is diagnosed. It is important to ensure these signs and symptoms are due to gastrointestinal conditions, as many are common and similar.
- A swollen tummy and bloating.
- Pain or tenderness in the tummy area.
- Pain and tenderness in the pelvic region.
- No appetite or the constant feeling of fullness.
- An urgent need to pee or to pee too often.
Other symptoms of ovarian cancer
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- The feeling of tiredness all the time
- Losing weight without a reason
- Bleeding from the vagina after menopause
How to identify common symptoms of ovarian cancer at home?
To answer the question of how to check for ovarian cancer at home, we've listed a few signs that could mean you have it.
1. Bloating -
Almost every woman can experience bloating, an uncomfortable feeling in the belly. However, it can also be the feeling of fullness and normal to consistent bloating that lasts three to four weeks. Persistent bloating and the signs of fullness accompanied by visible swelling in the stomach region can cause red flags in any person. Also Read: The 5 Best Supplements for bloating That Actually Work
2. Constipation -
Gi issues can be linked to stress and anxiety or irritable bowel movement and ovarian cancer, which come in the way of constipation. Keep a closer look at the changes in bowel movements and identify specific patterns of relieving constipation. For example, you can include fibrous vegetables in the diet or increase your water intake.
3. Prolonged Pain -
A pressure-like feeling on the abdominal and pelvic walls that last for one to three weeks can be a sign of ovarian cancer and be accompanied by pain. It can also be attributed to other factors. The pain can improve if the stress is alleviated and symptoms are related to stress. If your pain improves, you can make some changes to your diet.
4. Change in the Bladder Function
Typically women can experience urinary problems like pain and urinating or urgency, and they frequently think of infections in the urinary tract. Often it can be a bladder-related issue related to Gynecological and reproductive problems like ovarian cancer. Specific urinary symptoms are associated with ovarian cancer like
- Feeling pressure or pain in the bladder
- Frequent urination
- Sudden or urgent need to urinate.
If the symptoms are new to you, then the last several days are problems like getting concerned about the bladder and problems and issues with the reproductive system.
5. Difficulty Eating -
A loss of appetite is a common symptom of ovarian cancer. In addition to the loss of appetite and early signs of cancer and ovarian cancer, which includes feeling full and having difficulty finishing even small meals.
Risk factors that can cause ovarian cancer
While ovarian cancer is common among women, overall lifetime risks of developing it are still relatively low. Ovarian cancer often occurs in women after menopause, and cancer chances increase with age. Factors that can increase the risks are-
- Obesity or weight gain
- They are having children after the age of 35 years and carrying a pregnancy to term.
- Using hormonal therapy to increase menopause
- Having a family history of ovaries, breast, and rectal cancer
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Smoking every day
- Fertility treatment with in vitro fertilization
Factors that can help avoid ovarian cancer at home.
It will be best for the patients to understand that ovarian cancer can also be prevented. Factors that can lower the risk of ovarian cancer include:
- Giving birth to a baby before the age of 26 years. Breastfeeding
- Taking oral contraceptives
- Use short-term IUDs
- Undergoing pelvic surgeries like tubal ligation and hysterectomy or removal of ovaries.
Additional note: Women tend to ignore the symptoms and the early signs of ovarian cancer related to aging, weight gain, and other severe complicated problems. This makes detecting ovarian cancer difficult and incurable in the later stages. I hope you can easily understand in this blog about How to check for ovarian cancer at home?
FAQs -
Conclusion -
Ovarian cancer signs and symptoms are ubiquitous, with major gastrointestinal problems suggesting that it is difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer at an early age. But this does not indicate that we should turn a blind eye to the signs and symptoms we see at home. Hence we have written in this blog to check or detect ovarian cancer at home. But we will still suggest that if the signs and symptoms are positive for cancer, it is essential to get a proper diagnosis from the doctors and check the patient's condition regularly. You can also contact Credihealth if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above. Our experienced best oncologist in mumbai are dedicated to providing the best healthcare services and will aid you in your journey towards a successful recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first few symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain are the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, they are the easiest to overlook as they can also be the signs and symptoms of other medical conditions like indigestion, a stomach virus, and even cramps.
How does one feel when they have ovarian cancer?
One can feel a swelling in the tummy or a feeling of being bloated. One can also feel pain or tenderness in the stomach or the pelvic region. These can cause lesser appetite and an urgent need to pee all the time.
What are the superficial signs of ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer can have simple signs like bloating, abdominal pain, minor discomfort, pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, and change in bowel habits. For example, feeling full quickly and needing to pee too often.
When can one suspect ovarian cancer?
One can expect ovarian cancer with early-age symptoms like pelvic or abdominal pain and discomfort, increased abdominal pain and decreased appetite, feeling full and eating small amounts of food, and urinary symptoms.
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