(CBS) think detecting ovarian cancer symptoms is easy? think again. Even doctors have a hard time making the call. in part, that's because many of the symptoms, like weight gain and abdomen pain, could be a host of things, or nothing at all.

It's no small problem. Each year around 20,000 American women get ovarian cancer in the United States and yet many are not fully aware of the warning signs.

The symptoms, according to Medline are:

- Heavy feeling in pelvis- Pain in lower abdomen- Bleeding from the vagina (especially after menopause)- Weight gain or loss- Abnormal periods- Unexplained back pain that gets worse- Gas, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite

Sounds like a lot of things right? and sometimes there are no symptoms at all, which makes things tough on doctors. more than 25 percent of women with apparent  signs of early stage ovarian cancer are not receiving biopsies to test for it, according to new research from the University of California Davis Cancer Center.That's a big deal, because the longer you wait, the more deadly the disease becomes.

To make matters worse, there is no simple screening test for the disease. your doctor can perform several tests to help narrow it down including a rectovaginal pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and a CA-125 blood test.

The disease overwhelming strikes older women – 90 percent are over 40 and most of those are over 60, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

There are several things that can lower your chance of getting the disease and some risk factors too. Here's the short list, according to the CDC.

LOWER YOUR RISK

- having used birth control pills for more than five years.- having had a tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied), both ovaries removed, or hysterectomy (an operation in which the uterus, and sometimes the cervix, is removed).- having given birth.

RISK FACTORS

- being middle-aged or older.- having close family members(such as your mother, sister, aunt, or grandmother) on either your mother's or your father's side who have had ovarian cancer.- having had breast, uterine, or colorectal cancer.- having an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish background.- having never given birth or having had trouble getting pregnant.- having endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body).

For more information check out Medline, the Mayo Clinic and the CDC.

My husband is 48 years old and has been dealing with discomfort in his upper left abdominal area for over a year now. He's had a colonoscopy and upper gi within the past year. his mother passed away from pancreatic cancer on 9/30/2007 (less than 3 mos. ago). He is very gassy, doesn't appear jaundiced and has a normal appetite. He went in last week for a second upper gi, sonogram and x-ray of his abdomen. they took biopsies during the endoscopy (didn't do this during the first upper gi) and the results aren't back yet. I've been to all the websites with info on symptoms but want responses from those with first hand knowledge – is ongoing discomfort (not pain) in the upper left abdomen indicative of pancreatic cancer (along with the other symptoms I describe)? I know my husband is still considered young for this disease, but he seems to be exhibiting suspicous symptoms… i need to be prepared. my mother-in-law and father both died from cancer…i don't want to lose my husband.

hi hope your husband is doing better i wanted to answer this question because early october my dad had fullness nausious stomach lost a little weight tired not himself went to the drs and a good thing he did go when he did they took a ultra sound of the abdomen a catscan of the abdomen focused on kidneys alot of blood a chest xray and a breathing test a rectal and a prostate check everything came back fine except th eultra sound and some blood work the ultra sound showed findings on both kidneys and th ecatscan showed cysts on each kidney well th eblood showed he had hpylori a bacterial infection in his stomach it was so bad it was attacking his kidneys he was on heavy doses of antibiotics he also had a hard time swallowing just not feeling good has your husband been tested for a bacterial infection of any sort maybe worth asking hop ethis helps god bless you and your husband

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most serious of cancers. It develops when cancerous cells form in the tissues of your pancreas — a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until the disease is quite advanced. By that time, the cancer is likely to have spread to other parts of the body and surgical removal is no longer possible.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer often don't occur until the disease is advanced. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

* Upper abdominal pain that may radiate to your middle or upper back. Pain is a common symptom of advanced pancreatic cancer. Abdominal pain occurs when a tumor presses on surrounding organs and nerves. Pain may be constant or intermittent and is often worse after you eat or when you lie down. because many conditions other than cancer can cause abdominal pain, be sure to discuss your symptoms carefully with your doctor.
* Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss. Unintended weight loss is a common sign of pancreatic cancer. Weight loss occurs in most types of cancer because cancerous (malignant) cells deprive healthy cells of nutrients, and this is especially true in pancreatic cancer.
* Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice). about half of people with pancreatic cancer develop jaundice, which occurs when bilirubin, a breakdown product of worn-out blood cells, accumulates in your blood. normally, bilirubin is eliminated in bile, a fluid produced in your liver. But if a pancreatic tumor blocks the flow of bile, excess pigment from bilirubin may turn your skin and the whites of your eyes yellow. in addition, your urine may be dark brown and your stools white or clay-colored. although jaundice is a common sign of pancreatic cancer, it's more likely to result from other conditions, such as gallstones or hepatitis.
* Itching. in the later stages of pancreatic cancer, you may develop severe itching when high levels of bile acids, another component of bile, accumulate in your skin.
* Nausea and vomiting. in advanced cases of pancreatic cancer, the tumor may block a portion of your digestive tract, usually the upper portion of your small intestine (duodenum), causing nausea and vomiting.
* Digestive problems. When cancer prevents pancreatic enzymes from being released into your intestine, you're likely to have a hard time digesting foods — especially those high in fat. Eventually, this may lead to significant weight loss — as much as 25 pounds or more — and malnutrition.-

Hi. I’m 36 and have no previous history of STD/STI. 1 bad PAP test and they’re sending me for Colposcopy. I am HPV+ w/HGSIL… They are unwilling to wait it out, and have me scheduled for Biopsies at that same appt… My BF and I are going thru hell waiting… just 4 months ago after having some Uterine Polyps & fibroids removed… I was given the ALL CLEAR and to follow up 3 mths later. (Summer was hell and it was re~scheduled 2x) Anyone else out here going thru / having been thru something similair ?!? Plz don’t candy~coat it, I know HOW smears are evaluated… I just want open and honest answers from those of you who have been thru this… As OPPOSED to the crap I’m getting from ccounseling.. not directly answering my ?’s at all and referring me to brochures and online sites… My 1st counselling appt w/my new ob/gyn oncologist isn’t for 3 more weeks… I swear to Goddess i’ll be balder than billiard ball by then… If i don’t get some answers.. THX !