Silent Signs of a Merciless Disease

A general practitioner has urged women to pay attention to what she described as the “silent signs” of a disease that can claim thousands of lives each year without prior warning. The disease in question is ovarian cancer, which typically does not present with clear or direct symptoms, making early detection extremely difficult.

Its symptoms are often mistaken for minor issues, such as indigestion or hormonal imbalances, leading to diagnoses at advanced stages when treatment is far less effective than it would be in the early phases.

Statistics show that the five-year survival rate is 93% when the disease is detected early, but this figure drops sharply to just 13% when diagnosed in its later stages.

Dr. Alex Misick explained that some seemingly insignificant signs could actually be early indicators that should not be ignored. Persistent bloating, feeling full quickly, pelvic pain, and frequent or urgent need to urinate are all common warning signs that warrant attention.

Less common, and often overlooked, signs include pain during intercourse, swelling or pain in the legs, excessive fatigue without a clear reason, sudden changes in bowel habits, lower back pain, and irregular menstrual cycles.

The problem, according to the doctor, is that these symptoms often overlap with less serious health issues, causing many women to ignore them or delay seeing a doctor—potentially missing a crucial opportunity for early diagnosis and effective treatment.