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Symptoms of the "Silent-Killer"
Ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because many say it has no symptoms until the disease progresses. A new study suggests there may be symptoms that are just being ignored. A study of more than 1,700 women reveals that the majority of women with ovarian cancer have symptoms but delay the diagnosis.
Previous small studies have suggested there are symptoms associated with ovarian cancer that are non-gynecological in nature. To confirm these findings, researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle undertook a large national survey. Women were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their symptoms before diagnosis. The women were around the age of 52 and 70 percent had stage three or four ovarian cancer.
Ninety-five percent of the women surveyed indicated they did have symptoms prior to being diagnosed. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (77 percent), gastrointestinal problems (70 percent), and overall pain (58 percent). Other commonly reported symptoms included urinary and pelvic problems. They also found women who ignored their symptoms were much more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease than those who had their symptoms checked out immediately. Women also reported a common problem with delay of diagnosis. Only 55 percent had their condition diagnosed within three months. Twenty-six percent waited more than 6 months for a diagnosis and 11 percent waited more than a year. Delays were said to be caused by omission of a pelvic exam on a first visit, having a multitude of symptoms, and wrong diagnosis including depression, stress, irritable bowel and gastritis.
Researchers say by identifying these early symptoms, they hope more women will pay attention to the symptoms and there will be less delay of diagnosis.
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