title: Signs of aging or the vague symptoms of ovarian cancer?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the feelings that occurred at the same time as the vague physical symptoms of ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative, descriptive methodology.
  
  
  METHODS
  University cancer institute in southeastern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  24 women (ages 39-78) diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Most were Caucasian, were diagnosed at stage II-III, had a college-level education, and had health insurance. Eighty-three percent did not know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer prior to diagnosis, and 91% had no family history of the cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  SPSS (version 18.0) was used to summarize the demographic characteristics and qualitative descriptive content analysis to identify and summarize themes in the narrative data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two themes were noted in the handwritten answers provided by the women: (a) "thought symptoms were aging" and (b) "felt or knew something was not right."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings demonstrate and reinforce that a need exists for education regarding signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer among the general population as well as the common providers of women's health care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Education campaigns on signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and normal aging are necessary so women are empowered with knowledge and healthcare providers can suspect and evaluate the symptoms.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of South Alabama in Mobile, USA. anitasmith@usouthal.edu
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Rodney P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Rocconi
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Finan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research