Ovarian cancer: early symptom patterns.
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.
Koldjeski
Dixie
D
School of Nursing at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA. polishkay@aol.com
Kirkpatrick
Mary K
MK
Swanson
Melvin
M
Everett
Lou
L
Brown
Sylvia
S
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