Abdominal Swelling and Bloating

Abdominal swelling and bloating is one of the more common symptoms of ovarian cancer. It is also a symptom that is most ignored. The bloating may be so bad that one can't button their pants, or even have to go up a size.

I went shopping for shorts and skirts in February to be prepared for spring. I tried everything on before buying and they fit well. Two months later, spring rolled around and nothing fit around my waist. I started dieting and nothing helped the bloating and swelling. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 4 months later
Judy, New Haven, CT

Judy's experience is very common. Many women attribute this bloating to a middle age spread or winter weight gain. If the bloating swelling continues regardless of what you do, it really needs to be checked out by a doctor.

If It's Not Ovarian Cancer, What Else Could It Be

Abdominal swelling and bloating is the symptoms for many illnesses, such as:

• Constipation
  
• Hernia
  
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  
• Ulcers
  
• Fibroids
  
• Ovarian cysts

_{Created: 02/02/06
Reference:Ovarian Cancer Association}