"Not only in Indonesia but also in developed countries, most ovarian cancers are detected not at the early stage. Most of them are in stage three or four (by the time they are detected)," Askandar noted at an online press conference for the 10 Fingers Campaign, which was accessed from here on Thursday.
He said the changes that women experience in ovarian cancer are different from cervical cancer, which occurs gradually. This happens because most of the sufferers do not feel any symptoms; they even seem normal, he added.
Ovarian cancer has unclear stages because the cancer progression in each person varies, he explained.
Even if a woman undergoes a genetic examination and is declared to have several risks, such as a small lump, the lump will rarely be detected because the patient feels no indication, and the menstrual cycle goes on as usual, he said. In fact, the ovaries still continue to produce egg cells, he added.
As a result, many patients seek medical help after their stomach has enlarged, they feel short of breath because of fluid in the lungs, or they experience bowel obstruction because the cancer has spread throughout the body, he said.
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"The challenge is in detection. How can it be detected if there are no symptoms?" he asked.
To this end, he emphasized that it is essential for women to recognize the four signs that are not unique to ovarian cancer but can help them consider consulting a doctor. The signs include feelings of bloating or abdominal pain, pelvic or lower abdominal pain, urinary disorders, and decreased appetite, he said.
The INASGO head also asked families to immediately bring women to the hospital if they experience the four signs.
Even if the gynecological examination comes negative for ovarian cancer, taking preventive measures is still better than not taking any action at all, he noted.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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