Distended stomach, less appetite could be sign of ovarian cancer

SEREMBAN, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Many women in the country are unaware that stomach distension and reduced appetite are early warning signs of serious health issues that could threaten their lives, said an Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) specialist.

Tuanku Jaafar Seremban (HTJS) O&G consultant specialist, Dr Mohamad Faiz Mohamed Jamli said the symptoms were the earliest sign of ovarian cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women, after breast, uterine and cervical cancer.

He added most ovarian cancer patients were between 45 to 69 years old who did not suspect the abnormalities in their stomach as an early sign of cancer.

“The majority of my patients only come to the hospital when ovarian cancer was already at stage three and four because of the late detection and I even have a patient as young as nine years old being diagnosed.

“This is why it is very important for the women out there, especially those with a family history of cancer to come forward and undergo an early screening like a pap smear. It not only could detect cervical cancer but also the presence of other pre-cancerous cells in the body,” he told reporters here today.

He added, in conjunction with the World Women's Day this March, the Negeri Sembilan O&G Association will be organising a Women's Cancer Awareness Campaign focusing on ovarian cancer, with various activities such as daily pap smear screening at his O&G specialist clinic while the health clinic state-wide will also organise the screening every Friday throughout the month.

-- BERNAMA