Unclear Symptoms
A nickname of ovarian cancer is the “silent killer”. It is because it can be very hard to detect the early signs and symptoms of the conditions. These include painful intercourse, menstruation changes, back pain, urination changes, trouble eating, feeling full quickly or unusually, abdominal pain or pressure, or abdominal bloating. However, this form of cancer is not really silent. Most symptoms would happen in the early stages and may be ignored or mistaken for the signs of other conditions. [4]
Problems of Pelvic Exams
A pelvic exam rarely helps diagnose ovarian cancer in the early stages. In general, it is hard to feel an enlarged area or a lump because ovaries are located deep inside the abdominal cavity. Even a doctor may not detect any abnormal growth during a pelvic exam, which involves the checking of the uterus and ovaries for consistency, shape, and size. A possible alternative can be an imaging test. But doctors do not suggest these procedures unless they are suspicious of a tumor in the body. [5]
