If you are a woman who has been developing digestive issues that are aligned with irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, then there is a good chance that is what it is, but it could be a sign of something a lot more dangerous. IBS is characterized by painful bowel movements that range from experiencing chronic diarrhea to chronic constipation for a time period or even diarrhea and constipation in one day. It can also cause irregular bowel movements such as having to go several times a day for one day and only going once for another day. IBS can be painful, but it can be treated. However, there is a very dangerous condition that can mimic IBS, and that is ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Can Mimic IBS
If you are struggling with IBS, there is a good chance that you are, but if it worsens and you also have symptoms of urinary tract infection or a UTI, then there could be a chance you have ovarian cancer. Once the tumor in the ovaries begins to grow, it will press against and attract to the intestines which will have an impact on its function. Therefore, that is why when ovarian cancer does not get treated right away, it will grow into the intestines which will cause IBS-like symptoms in addition to bloating and stomach pain.
That is why it is essential to examine IBS symptoms that worsen over time. Even if it is not ovarian cancer, it can also be a sign of endometriosis, bowel inflammatory disease, or IBD, or it could be a stomach virus, or it can be premenstrual syndrome which will go away upon menstruation or once it finishes.
That is also why you do not want to leave unchecked IBS symptoms because it could be a sign of some other condition as noted above which may not have anything to do with ovarian cancer. But IBS and UTI symptoms are not the only sign of ovarian cancer that you will need to be mindful of.
What Are The Other Ovarian Cancer Symptoms?
The most common ones are those that mimic IBS and UTIs but you can also experience other symptoms. When ovarian cancer is in the early stages, you will be somewhat asymptomatic because the tumor is very small. However, as the tumor grows, you can also experience back pain, vaginal bleeding in between periods, and changes in weight. And even though when the tumor is small early on, then you will still feel subtle differences. It may be a matter of feeling that something is “off” within.
If you are experiencing any of those symptoms, then you will want to have your doctor refer you to a gynecologist who can perform different tests to detect a tumor if one is growing. It is rare for women under 40 to develop ovarian cancer. There are other risks aside from age that can increase the chances of ovarian cancer risk.
What Are The Risks Of Ovarian Cancer?
Age, as mentioned, is a risk, which means when you are over 40 you will need to get checked. Also, being overweight or obese can be a risk for increasing the chances of ovarian cancer. Additionally, if you have children later in life or not having a full-term pregnancy can increase the chances of developing cancer as well. If you are post-menopausal and still taking hormone therapy, that also will increase the chances of it there. Last but not least, if you have a family history of ovarian, breast, and colorectal cancer, then that will also increase your chances.
If you have these risks, and you are having the symptoms noted above, please get yourself seen by a doctor to detect if you may have ovarian cancer. Early detection increases your chances of survival.
