“One reason for the late diagnosis of ovarian cancer is the lack of effective screening combined with symptoms that are often nonspecific and attributed to other non-gynecologic conditions,” says Mitchell Clark, MD, MPH, a gynecologic oncologist for Yale Cancer Center in Stamford, Connecticut, and an assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine.
- Abdominal or pelvic pain, swelling, or pressure
- Urinary urgency (needing to pee suddenly or frequently)
- Difficulty eating enough
- Lump in the pelvic area
- Gas, bloating, and constipation
- Vaginal bleeding
Healthcare providers don’t always suspect ovarian cancer when patients report these symptoms, says Dr. Clark. “Studies show that prior to meeting with a gynecologic oncologist, ovarian cancer patients are referred for two to four other specialties before ovarian cancer is considered.”
Some experts say screening doesn’t help. “There’s no evidence in both normal and high-risk patients [demonstrates] that either ultrasounds or blood tests are effective for improving survival, and there may be harm from false positives from testing leading to unnecessary surgery,” says Dale Shepard, MD, PhD, an oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute.
