Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is cancer that begins in the ovaries, fallopian tubes or the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
It is more common after the menopause, although it can affect anyone with ovaries. Finding ovarian cancer early gives you the best chance of successful treatment. That’s why it’s important to know what’s normal for your body and speak to your doctor if you notice symptoms that are unusual for you or don’t go away.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer symptoms can often be mistaken for other common conditions. Most of the time they won’t be cancer, but it’s always best to get them checked.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent bloating or a swollen tummy
- Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite
- Pain or tenderness in the tummy or pelvis
- Needing to pass urine more urgently or more often than usual
- Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme tiredness
If these symptoms are new, persistent or becoming more frequent, contact your doctor.
If you’re worried about any cancer symptoms, your doctor will want to see you. Book an appointment.
Are you at risk of Ovarian Cancer?
Anyone can develop ovarian cancer, but some things can increase your risk, including:
Being aged 50 or over.
Having a close family history of ovarian or breast cancer.
Having certain inherited gene changes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.
Having endometriosis.
Never having been pregnant.
You can reduce your risk of cancer by making healthier lifestyle choices. Find out more about reducing your risk of cancer by clicking here.
Common myths around Ovarian Cancer
- Myth“Only older women get ovarian cancer.”
- Myth“If there’s no family history, they can’t get ovarian cancer.”
- Myth“Symptoms are always severe.”
- Myth“A cervical screening test checks for ovarian cancer.”
- Myth“I can’t get ovarian cancer because I’ve had a hysterectomy”
- The FactsAlthough ovarian cancer is more common after the menopause, it can affect women of any age.
- The FactsMost people diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not have a family history of the disease.
- The FactsSymptoms can be mild and easily mistaken for other common conditions, which is why it is important to know what to look out for.
- The FactsNo. Cervical screening only looks for changes that could lead to cervical cancer. It does not detect ovarian cancer.
- The FactsHaving a hysterectomy does not necessarily mean that you have had your ovaries removed and therefore there is still a risk of developing ovarian cancer. Having both ovaries removed (bilateral oophorectomy) greatly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, but it does not remove the risk completely. Rare cancers similar to ovarian cancer can still develop after surgery, so it is really important to see your doctor if you have symptoms such as bloating, tummy pain, feeling full quickly or needing to wee more often.
Useful Resources
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