When Cheryl experienced changes in her bowel habits, indigestion and nausea, she brushed them off as something else.
After becoming violently ill during a rum tasting, Cheryl saw her GP who advised her to have a CT scan. The results confirmed that she had ovarian cancer.
“Looking back, I was experiencing symptoms long before my diagnosis, but I ignored them”. Cheryl says.
Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer in females in Australia, with around 1700 women expected to be diagnosed each year. It’s known as a silent killer as it’s hard to detect in its early stages.
Signs of ovarian cancer
This World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day, learn the seven signs of ovarian cancer to take seriously.
- Bowel habit changes
- Pain during sex
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight variations
- Indigestion and nausea
- Feeling tired
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be similar to other common conditions. This can make it difficult to diagnose early.
If you have any of these symptoms and they are new for you, are severe or continue for more than a few weeks, it is best to have a check-up. Keep a note of how often the symptoms occur and make an appointment to see your general practitioner.
If your doctor suspects you have ovarian cancer, they will usually start with a pelvic examination, followed by tests and scans.
