According to a 2012 National Institute of Health (NIH) survey, ovarian cancer is one of the most feared cancers by women, surpassed only by breast cancer.

Every year, approximately 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which is the eighth most common cancer, and fifth leading cause of death due to cancer.

Understanding the signs of ovarian cancer and learning the risk factors for the disease can help women get the early intervention needed to ensure better chances of catching the cancer early and having successful treatment.

Ovarian Cancer Signs

Many of the signs of ovarian cancer are easily overlooked because women might not link them to a cancer issue, especially since some are considered more gastrointestinal complaints. Women should consider the following ovarian cancer signs as warranting further investigation by a physician:

• Vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding (especially post-menopause) that is abnormal for your body
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Abdominal pressure or pain
• Back pain
• Bloating or swelling of the abdomen
• Feeling full shortly after eating
• A change in bathroom habits, including increased constipation or diarrhea, or passing more urine than normal

Having just one of the aforementioned signs for a period of two weeks or more or experiencing any abnormal bleeding is enough to warrant a trip to your doctor to see if the symptoms are ovarian cancer signs or are caused by another condition, according to the CDC.

Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors

Women are advised to be especially mindful of ovarian cancer signs if they have any of the following risk factors for developing ovarian cancer:

• Age 40 or older
• Having a close family relative on your mother’s or father’s side of the family who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer (mother, sister, aunt or grandmother)
• Having a diagnosis of endometriosis (a condition where the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus in other parts of the body)
• Had trouble getting pregnant or never gave birth
• Having a previous diagnosis of breast, uterine or colorectal cancer
• Having an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish background

Baby Powder: An Overlooked Potential Cause of Ovarian Cancer

Many women are surprised to find that signs of ovarian cancer that subsequently led to an ovarian cancer diagnosis in women was linked to a popular product for feminine hygiene.

Over 40 percent of women use talcum-based baby powder as part of their daily personal hygiene routine, and research has linked genital baby powder use with ovarian cancer.

In one particular study done in the 1970s, researchers looked at 13 ovarian cancer tumors and found talc particles “deeply embedded” within the tumor. It is postulated that the particles can enter a woman’s body and travel up to the ovaries when baby powder is applied to the genital area, or sprinkled in a woman’s underwear to help control odor and moisture.

Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit Information

Many women have come forth to file lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, alleging that the company failed to warn women about the risk of ovarian cancer from using Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower. These women have done so in hopes to keep the manufacturer accountable for delivering a safe product.

In 2013, in the first case of its kind, a jury found Johnson & Johnson responsible for failing to warn consumers of the ovarian cancer risk associated with their product. Over 700 lawsuits have been filed against the company to date.

If you or a loved one developed ovarian cancer following the use of baby powder, you may be eligible to receive legal compensation. An experienced baby powder cancer attorney will review your case at no charge and can help you decide if taking legal action is right for you.