Beyond the Bloat, Understanding Signs of Ovarian Cancer

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Women are often told that bloating is just part of life, linked to their cycles, stress or something they ate. But sometimes, persistent bloating is your body’s way of signaling something more serious. Ovarian cancer signs and symptoms show up in ways that are easy to overlook or explain away.

Understanding the lesser-known signs of ovarian cancer and being aware of subtle changes in your body could make all the difference.

Unpacking the Bloat
Bloating can happen for many reasons, especially related to menstrual cycles and hormone shifts. Around ovulation and before your period, changing hormone levels can cause water retention and slowed digestion, leading to that uncomfortable, swollen feeling.

Certain foods like dairy, salty snacks or carbonated drinks can also trigger stomach bloating, especially if you’re sensitive to them. Chewing gum can even cause you to feel bloated due to swallowing excess air, triggering gas buildup.

Digestive issues such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gas buildup or eating too quickly can play a role as well. While these causes are usually harmless and short-lived, bloating that lingers or worsens over time may signal something more and should be checked out.

What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce eggs and hormones like estrogen and progesterone, and develops when abnormal cells grow and multiply uncontrollably.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer. It starts in the thin tissue covering the ovaries and can also begin in the lining of the fallopian tubes or the abdominal cavity. Tumors can grow quietly and go undetected for some time.

A women’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is approximately 1 in 91. While the exact cause is unknown, age is a factor—as about half of all cases are diagnosed in women age 63 or older. A family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer can also increase your chances, especially if you carry inherited gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2. Other risk factors include endometriosis, never having been pregnant and going through menopause later in life. That said, ovarian cancer can still happen to younger women and those without any known risk factors.

Why Symptoms Are Often Missed
Ovarian cancer doesn’t always come with loud or obvious symptoms. Instead, it can creep in with subtle changes that are easy to dismiss.

Common warning signs include persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly after eating, needing to urinate more often or urgently, or experiencing unusual fatigue or changes in bowel habits, like constipation. Unexplained abdominal swelling, especially when paired with weight loss, is another possible red flag.

Because these signs often mimic everyday issues, they’re easy to overlook. As a result, most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, after the cancer has already spread. Any new symptoms that are persistent or worsening deserve attention.

Gynecologic Cancers Share Symptoms, So Know Them All
Ovarian cancer is just one of several gynecologic cancers that can affect women, and many of them share overlapping symptoms. Uterine cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer can all cause subtle changes like unusual bleeding, pelvic pain or changes in discharge. Because these signs can seem like minor or routine health issues, they’re often brushed aside.

However, early detection is key, since many gynecologic cancers have a better prognosis when they are caught early. Paying attention to symptoms and keeping up with regular checkups, including pelvic exams and Pap smears when recommended, can make a critical difference in your health journey.

Feeling Off? Here’s Your Next Move
Listening to your body and knowing what’s not normal for you can be your first step toward catching something early. If you’re feeling like something isn’t right, or you’re facing a cancer diagnosis, don’t wait to consult with your primary health care provider or Ob/Gyn. Early action can make all the difference.

WORLD-CLASS CANCER TREATMENT, CLOSE TO HOME
About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FLCancer.com)

For more than 40 years, FCS has built a national reputation for excellence that is reflected in exceptional and compassionate patient care, driven by innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatments, including targeted therapies genomic-
based treatment and immunotherapy. Our highest values are embodied by our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians,
clinicians and staff.

In Marion County, board-certified physicians specializing in hematology, medical oncology, gynecologic oncology and radiation oncology provide personalized care for all forms of cancers and blood disorders. With extraordinary skill and experience, they deliver treatments with maximum effectiveness and safety, combined with compassion and concern for patients and their families. From genetic screening to immunotherapies and access to the latest clinical trials, our top-ranked cancer experts provide the newest and most advanced treatments available —increasing cure rates and extending lives.