For the first time, doctors have released a set of symptoms that are associated with ovarian cancer that women should keep in mind including bloating, difficulty urinating and changes in eating patterns

Doctors are reporting that if women knew the signs and symptoms associated with ovarian cancer, then many deaths due to the disease could be prevented.

Some of the symptoms that could be associated with the lethal form of cancer include: chronic bloating, frequently urinating, and changes in eating patterns and abdominal pain.

The guidelines -- developed by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Cancer Society -- urge women who experience any of the above symptoms to contact their doctor immediately.

"We used to think ovarian cancer was very slow-growing, that it was aggressive and people did not have symptoms early," Dr. Barry Rosen of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of Canada. told CTV News.

"Now we believe symptoms occur much earlier. And it suggests to me the cancer is not always rapidly growing and it may be able to be detected in the early stages."

Elizabeth Ross is the CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada, and states "I hope that it will mean it's now on the radar screen for doctors when women come in -- women complaining of abdominal pain, bloating, urinary frequency -- that it won't be dismissed as menopausal symptoms."

Experts have also stated that they may add the following symptoms to the checklist for ovarian cancer: fatigue, back pain, pain with intercourse, and menstrual irregularities.