Among all forms of cancer of the female reproductive organs, ovarian cancer is one of the most deadly. If it is caught at an early stage, ovarian cancer is curable with a high rate of survivability. Because many patients either do not recognize the symptoms early enough or are too embarrassed or scared to go to their primary physicians with concerns, most ovarian cancer is not detected until it has spread into the abdomen and pelvis. Once it has spread, ovarian cancer becomes much more difficult to treat and can be fatal. Raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer is an important step to saving lives.SymptomsIf you have any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it is better to investigate concerns than to allow cancer to spread unchecked. Remember, the earlier you detect ovarian cancer, the greater your odds of surviving are.Pressure, swelling, or bloating in the abdomenPelvic painPersistent digestive issues such as constipation, gas, and nauseaFrequent urge to urinatePain in the lower backOngoing lack of energyTreatmentIf your doctor concludes based on tests that you do have ovarian cancer, you will likely have to undergo a rigorous course of treatment that includes surgery and chemotherapy. The surgery will remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, nearby lymph nodes, as well as the omentum, a layer of fatty tissue in the abdomen to which ovarian cancer often spreads. The surgeon will try to remove as much of the cancer as possible. If the ovarian cancer was discovered early enough, not all organs may need to be removed which can preserve child-bearing ability for younger patients. After the surgery, most patients will undergo a course of chemotherapy to destroy what cancer remains. A doctor will determine how much chemotherapy based on the stage of the cancer.Ovarian cancer is a scary term often treated like a death sentence, but with early detection and treatment, ovarian cancer can be cured. Awareness of the symptoms can ensure that more woman survive.