- You may not think about your ovaries
very often. (soft music)
These small, walnut-shaped organs
are a part of your reproductive system.
Eggs are created and stored there.
The eggs are then released down the fallopian tubes,
starting the monthly cycle,
that ends with either a period or pregnancy.
Most of the time,
the ovaries do their part on the reproductive team
without you having to worry about them,
but sometimes cancer can develop there.
Even though ovarian cancer isn't that common,
it's a deadly condition.
Ovarian cancer can be silent.
It doesn't always signal to you
that it's developing with any signs or signals.
Some people don't even experience symptoms,
until the cancer has already grown
and spread within their body.
It's difficult to detect,
often causing symptoms that are easy to brush off
as everyday aches and pains,
but these symptoms can be clues to cancer
if you are tuned in to your body.
It's important to pay attention to your body.
If something seems off,
reach out to your doctor.
Some of the symptoms may seem like nothing,
but they can be a warning sign of ovarian cancer.
Abdominal pain.
Having a stomach ache or feeling bloated
may seem like nothing,
but if this is outside of your normal,
it's good to check out.
Pain in your abdomen and pelvis
can be a sign of ovarian cancer.
Similarly,
you might not think of a change in your appetite
as something strange.
You might run through a list
of many reasons why this can happen.
However,
it can be another sign of ovarian cancer.
If your appetite has changed,
or you notice that you feel full faster,
this could be another sign that something isn't right.
Abnormal bleeding.
This is any bleeding or vaginal discharge
that happens outside of your typical menstrual period
or after menopause.
If you notice bleeding at an unusual time
or after menopause,
contact your doctor right away.
Changes to your bowel habits can be another red flag.
Unusual diarrhea or constipation
can be a sign of developing ovarian cancer.
You might also notice that you have to pee more frequently
or have urinary urgency,
a sudden need to go right away.
Finding a lump.
In some cases of ovarian cancer,
you might feel a lump in your abdomen,
or notice that your abdomen has suddenly gotten larger.
Unfortunately,
there are no routine tests to screen for ovarian cancer,
but you can understand your risk factors
and plan ahead with your doctor.
Some risks to know about include your family history.
If people in your family have had ovarian cancer,
it's good to let your doctor know.
You can receive genetic testing
that might help you plan
for a possible diagnosis in the future.
It can also be helpful to let your doctor know
if you're of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish background,
as this can increase your risk.
Age.
Your risk of developing ovarian cancer goes up,
the older you get.
Pregnancies and certain conditions.
If you've never been pregnant or had endometriosis,
your risk of ovarian cancer goes up.
You are also at increased risk
if you've had other cancers in the past,
like breast,
uterine or colorectal cancer.
Listening to your body and the cues it gives you,
is really important when it comes to ovarian cancer.
When something feels off,
or outside of your normal,
reach out to your doctor to talk about the symptom.
(theme music)