September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in American women. This is largely because early ovarian cancer often has no symptoms.
When symptoms do appear, they tend to be associated with other conditions. These symptoms may include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly and frequent urination. Knowing the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can lead to early diagnosis and life-saving treatment.
Screening for ovarian cancer is difficult, but pelvic imaging and blood tests are currently the best tests for diagnosing ovarian cancer. Increasing age and a family history of the disease are the strongest risk factors.
For information on ovarian cancer risk, screening, diagnosis and treatment, visit:
RadiologyInfo.org:
Additional websites:
- RTAnswers.com: Radiation Therapy for Gynecologic Cancers
- National Cancer Institute: Ovarian Cancer
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition: http://www.ovarian.org/
- American Cancer Society: Ovarian Cancer
This page was reviewed on August 19, 2024