US cancer groups highlight symptoms of early ovarian cancer

Women in the United States should watch out for the early signs of ovarian cancer, which have been described in a consensus statement from the American Cancer Society, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.

Ovarian cancer is often called the “silent killer” because it is thought to have no early warning signs and is usually detected when it has already spread beyond the ovary. Although when the disease is detected early about 93% of women survive for five years, only 19% of cases are found that early, the American Cancer Society said.

About 15 000 US women will die from the disease this year, and about 22 000 new cases will be diagnosed.

The consensus statement lists four symptoms that may be early signs of ovarian cancer—bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, …