The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often misleading: signs such as abdominal bloating or unusual fatigue resemble everyday minor ailments so closely that, out of habit, we tend to dismiss them. It is precisely this ambiguity that creates a sense of uncertainty and deep frustration, stemming from the difficulty of putting a precise name to what we feel changing in our bodies.
Learning not to ignore these messages, however, is what allows us to regain control. The numbers tell us how important timeliness is: today, it is estimated that less than 20% of cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the ovary, but it is precisely in this statistic that the power of early diagnosis lies. With timely intervention, the 5-year survival rate reaches 90%, transforming that initial doubt into concrete action and a path of informed prevention.
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What are the first symptoms of ovarian cancer?
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Realizing that something is wrong is a subtle sensation, almost like an intuition. Often, however, the signals our ovaries send us are so subtle that they can be mistaken for minor everyday discomforts, such as a bit of stress or temporary fatigue. Precisely because these changes are almost never obvious, we tend to dismiss them as temporary annoyances.
Recognizing them, however, is the first and most important act of self-care. ‍One criterion that can help us avoid unnecessary alarm, without letting our guard down, is persistence: a symptom becomes a potential warning sign if it occurs for more than 12–15 days a month over an extended period.
Here, then, are the three main signs to watch for:
- bloated abdomen
- meteorism
- frequent urge to urinate
Sometimes, these may occur alongside other symptoms that warrant further investigation:
- abdominal or pelvic pain
- unusual vaginal bleeding
- changes in bowel habits (such as constipation or diarrhea)
- feeling of extreme fatigue
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What kind of pain does ovarian cancer cause?
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Understanding what is happening to our bodies is essential to overcoming fear. However, discomfort does not always manifest as localized, sharp pain, but rather as a diffuse sensation of heaviness affecting the lower abdomen or pelvic area.
In some cases, ovarian cancer can also cause persistent back pain that does not respond to common pain relievers. But there are also other signs that warrant attention, such as pain during sexual intercourse or the appearance of vaginal bleeding outside of one’s menstrual cycle - and, with even greater caution, after menopause.
This subtle nature makes it difficult to distinguish simple fatigue from a deeper warning sign: learning to set boundaries around what we feel is essential to understanding when it’s time to seek a specialist’s opinion.‍
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Can an ultrasound scan detect ovarian cancer?
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When the symptoms described above become part of your daily life, the first step is to talk to your gynecologist. The diagnostic process usually begins with a thorough physical exam and a transvaginal ultrasound.
Ultrasound is currently the primary tool for “viewing” the ovary, but it alone is not always sufficient for a definitive diagnosis. For this reason, the doctor may order additional tests, such as a CA-125 test (a marker measured through a blood draw) and abdominal palpation.
It is important to clarify, however, that to date there is no effective universal screening for the entire female population, as is the case, for example, with the Pap test. There are, however, exceptions: for women with a strong family history or confirmed genetic mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes), screenings are essential and should be performed at more frequent intervals - every six months - even before the age of 40.
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Prevention and screening: how to protect our health
While it is true that we do not yet have universal screening programs, prevention relies on consistency: an annual checkup remains the most effective strategy for detecting any abnormalities early on. In addition, scientific research has identified modifiable factors that can influence risk.
For example, it has been observed that giving the ovaries a “break” has a natural protective effect; this condition is linked to the suppression of ovulation, a mechanism that occurs naturally during:
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- use of the birth control pill (which can reduce the risk by up to 50%);
- use of an intrauterine device (IUD), which helps modulate the local inflammatory environment.
However, the primary tool for prevention remains education. Recent studies indicate that only 40% of women are truly familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Many mistakenly believe that an abnormal Pap test is related to the ovaries, whereas it is a test specific exclusively to the cervix.
Learning to distinguish these conditions is a fundamental act of self-protection. For those with genetic mutations, the approach is even more specialized and requires dedicated counseling to evaluate personalized risk-reduction options, which should always be addressed with the support of a multidisciplinary team.
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Conclusions
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Not ignoring what our bodies tell us is the first, true step toward loving ourselves. Prevention shouldn’t be a burden, but a choice of freedom that stems from self-awareness and medical support. Listening to our bodies and consulting with our doctors means taking back control of our health, turning a simple checkup into a promise of well-being that we make to ourselves.‍
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Cited works
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https://www.airc.it/cancro/informazioni-tumori/guida-ai-tumori/tumore-delle-ovaie
https://www.legacancro.ch/il-cancro/tipi-di-cancro/cancro-dellovaio
Bucur C, Balescu I, Petrea S, Gaspar B, Pop L, Varlas V, Hasegan A, Stoian M, Gorecki GP, Bacalbasa N. Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Screening—Where Do We Stand Today? Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences. 2024; 11(1):99-105. https://doi.org/10.22543/2392-7674.1464Â
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