Early Detection is Key Each year, approximately 20,000 women in the United States get ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer kills almost 15,000 American women every year. Early detection of ovarian cancer is the best strategy for survival. Like hypertension, ovarian cancer is a silent killer because early symptoms are often too subtle to notice. Early symptoms are abdominal swelling or bloating, a feeling of pressure or pain in the pelvic area, abdominal pain, problems with eating or feeling full too quickly, and urinary symptoms such as having to go frequently or urgently. As you can see, these symptoms are often associated with other common illnesses and can easily be ignored. Other symptoms include constipation, pain during sex, bleeding between periods or a change in your cycle, back pain, upset stomach or fatigue. If your constipation, abdominal pain or pelvic fullness has lasted longer than a week, see your doctor. Early detection saves lives.