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Dr Odile Bagot (Gynecologist-obstetrician)
The English association Target Ovarian Cancer campaigns for a better understanding of ovarian cancer and its symptoms. In a survey she recently conducted, she reveals that “79% of women are unaware that bloating could be a sign of the disease”. Questioned by Doctissimo, Dr. Odile Bagot wants to be reassuring about this common symptom.
Every year in France, 5,000 women declare ovarian cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (InCa), which places it in the 8th rank of the most common cancers in women. Unfortunately it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, because it evolves for a long time without symptoms.
Ovarian cancer: poor knowledge of symptoms
This is why the English association Target Ovarian Cancer campaigns to make March the month against ovarian cancer in England, like Pink October for breast cancer in France. She recently conducted a survey of 1,000 women to assess their knowledge of this pathology. And the results demonstrate a flagrant ignorance of women on the subject.
According to the survey, three quarters of women (79%) do not know that “bloating is a key sign of ovarian cancer”. Similarly, 78% are unaware that “abdominal pain was a sign of the disease” and 97% of them also did not know that “to feel full“Could be another.
For Annwen Jones, CEO of Target Ovarian Cancer, “these figures are incredibly disappointing. Knowing the symptoms is crucial for everyone. We need to make sustained, large-scale campaigns on government-backed symptoms a reality” she recommends.
Bloating is benign in 99% of cases
When asked, Dr Odile Bagot, gynecologist in Strasbourg, wants to reassure all women: “In 99.9% of cases, bloating is a digestive symptom, unrelated to ovarian cancer!“Explains the specialist first. “It’s the intestine that swells with water and air and it’s a temporary symptom, which goes away and comes back” she recalls.
“In ovarian cancer, the disease evolves silently for a long time, then when the suggestive symptoms appear and the diagnosis is made, the cancer is usually already well advanced, unfortunately” she adds.
Odile Bagot recommends regular gynecological follow-up, with one consultation per year, for all women. “Et if atypical digestive symptoms appear, that they last and do not pass, you should consult your doctor who will prescribe further examinations, such as an ultrasound, for example“.
Consult an oncologist online
Disorders that must challenge
According to the website of the National Institute against Cancer, you must remain vigilant if you experience pelvic abdominal pain, an abnormal increase in the volume of your abdomen, bleeding, transit disorders, false urges to have a bowel movement or even very frequent or urgent urges to urinate…
Regarding screening, the survey again shows that “40% of women believed that ovarian cancer could be detected by cervical cancer screening“. However, the discovery of ovarian cancer early is rather due to a radiological examination and is more of a fortuitous discovery. While the diagnosis of this cancer will have to be made thanks to various examinations, such as a pelvic ultrasound or a MRI.
So many elements on which large-scale communication is necessary, as Annwen Jones points out. “Progress is possible. If we do this, fewer people will be diagnosed late, fewer will need invasive treatment, and ultimately fewer will die unnecessarily from ovarian cancer.“.