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About Ovarian Cancer
 Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths. It is the deadliest of all gynecological cancers. It is estimated that in 2008, around 22,000 women will be diagnosed and 15,000 of them will die from the disease. About 75 percent of women are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease*
Early Warning Signs
Often times, symptoms are missed, dismissed, misdiagnosed, or diagnosed too late. Some things to look out for are:
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Change in bowel habits
- Difficulty eating
- Frequency or urgency of urination when no other infection or cause is present
- Persistent indigestion
If any of these symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, please contact your doctor.
Early Detection
 Currently there is no early detection method for ovarian cancer, but you can take proactive measure with your health care professionals in the following ways:
- Have an annual pelvic exam. FYI: A pap smear does NOT detect ovarian cancer
- If you have immediate family members with a history of breast, ovarian, or any other type of cancer, discuss genetic testing with your doctor.
- Inquire about having the CA125 blood test performed. Wherein this test does not provide a conclusive answer about the presence of ovarian cancer, it can be an indication that more investigation needs to be done.
If you suspect that you may have ovarian cancer or if you have been diagnosed, you should consult a gynecological oncologist. To find one in your area, contact the Gynecological Cancer Foundation at 800-444-4441
*American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org
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