What are the signs of ovarian cancer?

About 7,400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the UK. This makes ovarian cancer the 6 th most common cancer in women. Usually the incidence rates are highest in females aged 75 to 79. The good news (probably not the words you were expecting) is that ovarian cancer survival has almost doubled in the last 50 years in the UK. When ovarian cancer is found early, about 94% of patients live longer than 5 years after diagnosis. The difficulty is that there aren’t any recommended screening test for ovarian cancer for women who do not have symptoms, therefore it is worth noting down the symptoms to look out for.

• Abdominal bloating or swelling

• Quickly feeling full when eating

• Weight loss

• Discomfort in the pelvic area

• Fatigue

• Back pain

• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation

• A frequent need to urinate

• Pain during sex

• Changes in your period (heavier bleeding or irregular bleeding)

If you are concerned you can book a pelvic exam. This is where the ovaries and uterus are examined for size, shape, and consistency. A pelvic exam can be useful because it can find some female cancers at an early stage, but most early ovarian tumours are difficult or impossible to feel. Pelvic exams may, however, help find other cancers or female conditions. Women should discuss the need for these exams with their doctor.