title: Ovarian cancer: early symptom patterns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine early symptom and diagnostic-seeking experiences of women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Homes of families.
  
  
  METHODS
  Purposive; 19 families were obtained by referrals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews and questionnaires; descriptive analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Early symptoms and delays in diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Families were 88% Caucasian and 12% African American. Almost two-thirds had annual incomes of 25,000 dollars or more. The ages of the patients with cancer ranged from 28-73 years (mean = 56 years). Delay between initial symptoms and diagnosis was mean = 14 weeks. Early symptoms experienced by 95% of women were abdominal bloating, vague abdominal pain and "spots," indigestion problems, fatigue, and urinary problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women usually experience a cluster of symptoms, unrecognized and discounted, which delays diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pelvic assessments should be reformulated to conceptualize early symptoms, risk factors, and family cancer history as a dynamic, interconnected whole to guide and interpret ovarian health.
authors: School of Nursing at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA. polishkay@aol.com
authors: Dixie
authors: D
authors: Koldjeski
authors: Mary K
authors: MK
authors: Kirkpatrick
authors: Melvin
authors: M
authors: Swanson
authors: Lou
authors: L
authors: Everett
authors: Sylvia
authors: S
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000451:nursing; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires