Ovarian cancer used to be referred to as the silent killer because symptoms were thought not to present until late stages. Evidence now indicates that women diagnosed as having ovarian cancer, including those with early-stage disease, have symptoms that predate diagnosis by 3–36 months.
• Feeling full after eating only a few bites or loss of appetite
• Diarrhea, constipation, bowel or rectum feels full
• Change in bowel habits, constant urge to have a bowel movement, painful or burning bowel movements, pain, painful defecation
• Bloating, distension of abdomen, clothes around the waist feel too tight, feel an abdominal mass
• Weight loss not because of dieting
• Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, gas, burping, indigestion
• Increased urinary frequency, need to urinate urgently
• pressure on the bladder, leaking urine, burning sensation when urinating, need to urinate but unable to do so, unable to empty bladder completely, feeling full after urinating
• Vaginal discharge, bleeding, spotting, deep pain on intercourse
• Discomfort or pain in abdomen, pelvic region, or lower back