Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its insidious nature and the subtlety of its early symptoms, which can easily be overlooked or misdiagnosed as other diseases, such as gastrointestinal disorders. Understanding the early symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as bloating, indigestion and loss of appetite, and comparing them with similar symptoms of other diseases is crucial to raising awareness and facilitating timely diagnosis.

In order to better grasp the difference between ovarian cancer symptoms and those of similar diseases, let's compare the early symptoms of ovarian cancer with those of common gastrointestinal diseases:

Ovarian Cancer:

l Persistent or recurrent abdominal bloating, discomfort or pain.

l Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly.

l A sensation of abdominal or pelvic fullness.

l Chronic indigestion or gas.

l Pelvic or lower back pain.

l Frequent or urgent urination (due to possible tumor compression on the bladder).

Gastrointestinal Disorders (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastric ulcers, gastritis, etc.):

l Abdominal pain or discomfort, possibly accompanied by diarrhea or constipation.

l Feeling overly full or bloated after meals or nausea.

l Indigestion, heartburn or stomach pain.

l Changes in appetite.

l Weight fluctuations (which may be due to appetite changes resulting from digestive issues).

The key difference is that the symptoms of ovarian cancer tend to be persistent, not easily explained, and do not improve after treatment of common digestive disorders. In addition, ovarian cancer may be accompanied by unexplained weight loss, fatigue or back pain.

Therefore, if a woman experiences any of these symptoms, especially if they persist and cannot be explained by other common illnesses, it is important to seek medical attention for proper screening and diagnosis to rule out the possibility of ovarian cancer. Early detection is crucial to improve the outcome and survival rate of ovarian cancer.