Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

For those of you who don’t already know, September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the ovaries or the fallopian tubes. If undetected, it can spread to other parts of the body in that area, such as the stomach and throughout the pelvic floor. We are honored to bring awareness to this disease here at Arancia PT, as it directly impacts the parts of the body that we specialize in healing here.

It is important to note that some of the early symptoms of ovarian cancer can present itself in the form of pelvic and/or abdominal pain. This can also lead to fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Other common symptoms besides pelvic and abdominal pain include back pain, abdominal bloating, bowel changes, increase in abdominal fluid, nausea, and increased urinary frequency. This is important to know for people who seek us out because many of them experience similar symptoms and should receive specialty care as soon as possible. Ovarian cancer can start causing symptoms even in its early and possibly undiagnosed stages. This can even be urinary pain, bowel pain, pain during sex, pain while exercising, and even pain after eating, as it can cause a feeling of being “too full” even after not eating very much. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, that it is imperative to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Not only does the disease itself have an effect on the pelvic floor, but the treatment can have lasting, painful effects on different areas of the body. Radiation for gynecological cancers, which are located in the pelvic region, can cause something called “fibrosis”, which is a hardening of tissue that may narrow or shorten the vaginal canal, potentially causing overall pelvic pain and therefore pain with intercourse (dyspareunia). Ovarian cancer and its treatment process can also lead to tissue changes to the vaginal wall and pelvic floor muscles, leading to urinary and fecal incontinence, or the inability to control urination and bowel movements. Other cancers within that region of the body, such as cervical, vaginal, or even prostate cancer in men can cause similar issues along the pelvic floor, whether it is the disease itself or the treatment process.

It’s important to bring awareness to this disease because we want to make sure that our patients are aware of the potential effects that these types of illnesses can have on the pelvic floor and other areas of the body. It is important to know that even if you have overcome a severe illness like this and have received treatment, that you may still experience pain or other symptoms in this area and not be aware that it can be directly related to your past illness and its treatment. Our bodies are impressively resilient, but sometimes not everyone is aware of how the body holds onto pain and trauma, whether that be mental or physical. Our bodies’ holding of this past pain or trauma can lead to problems in certain parts of the body that we might not have even thought were related. So, if you or someone you know may have gone through the trials of a disease such as ovarian cancer or one like it, just know that there is help out there for you to overcome this physical discomfort.

That being said, make sure you are taking the time to keep up with your physical health and see a doctor as soon as possible if something feels off within your body, as it could be your body trying to tell you something. Many people, especially women, will experience painful sex or frequent urination for years before even looking into getting help. It's important to note that waiting is never the right answer, especially when it could be caused by something as harmful as ovarian cancer. Either way, it’s important to work with a pelvic floor specialist, because these symptoms are not normal and should not be brushed under the rug or treated as unimportant. We hope that this week’s blog post brings awareness to those who may not know much about ovarian cancer or other types of reproductive cancers, and that it can urge anyone who is experiencing pelvic discomfort not to panic, but to seek treatment as soon as possible.