Due to the commonality of ovarian cancer symptoms with so many other women’s health issues, it is important to know your body and push for proper diagnosis. Quat was shuffled around from emergency rooms to general practitioners to specialists before she was diagnosed (only because she was misdiagnosed (again) and they saw her tumor as they were removing her gallbladder). She was not overweight, generally healthy, and had no family history. Twice she was told it was stress and/or depression and went as far as taking antidepressants for a few days even after telling them that she did not feel at all stressed nor depressed. This is why it is important to know your body and be your own advocate. Be firm.

The following symptoms were experienced by Quatina for up to a year before she was diagnosed. They are the hallmarks of ovarian cancer and should be considered heavily if you have had them for 14 days of any month (does not have to be consecutive) or more. These symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population:

• Feeling full after a few bites
• Pelvic/abdominal pain
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
• Bloating
• Several other symptoms are commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer. These symptoms include:
• Fatigue
• Indigestion
• Back pain
• Pain with intercourse
• Constipation
• Menstrual irregularities