Signs and Symptoms
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and easily
confused with more common health problems. For this reason,
diagnosis is often late, after the cancer has spread, which
accounts for the poor survival rate of women with ovarian
cancer.
Ovarian cancer was once described as 'the silent killer', but a
consensus of expert opinion has informed new guidelines published
by the Department of Health which advises that any of the following
three symptoms, if they occur on most days, can
suggest ovarian cancer.
- Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
- Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating - not bloating
that comes and goes
- Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly
The likelihood is that these symptoms are not ovarian cancer but
may be present in some women with the disease.
Occasionally there may be other symptoms such as feeling a
frequent or urgent need to urinate, changes in bowel habit, extreme
fatigue or back pain. Again, it is most likely that these symptoms
are not ovarian cancer, but they may be present in some women with
the disease. If you regularly experience any of these symptoms, it
is important that you see your GP.
Finally, if you have already consulted your GP yet the symptoms
persist or worsen, it is important to return and explain this to
your doctor - you know your body better than anyone.
Click here to read the first Ovarian Cancer UK
Consensus Statement which brought together the expert views of
scientists, researchers and doctors to provide the best evidence on
signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Click here
to read the full messaging for women from the
Department of Health on signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Click
here to read the full messaging for health
professionals from the Department of Health on signs and
symptoms.