Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer can cause few signs in the early stage. Symptoms are often mild and easy to put down to other causes. What matters is that they are new, persistent and not normal for you.

Common symptoms

• Bloating that does not go away
• Pelvic or lower belly pain
• Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite
• Urinary urgency or frequency
• Change in bowel habit, such as constipation
• Tiredness
• Back pain and pain during sex
• Unexplained weight loss or an increase in belly size

Later signs

A swollen abdomen from fluid (ascites), breathlessness from fluid around the lungs, nausea, vomiting, and a hard lump felt in the belly.

Other changes

Irregular periods or bleeding after menopause. These are more often due to other conditions but need a check.

Do not ignore

Symptoms that happen on more than 12 days a month for 2 to 3 weeks or longer are worth a medical review.

Emergency signs

Sudden severe belly pain, fainting, repeated vomiting with a swollen, tender belly, or breathlessness need urgent care.

See a doctor if bloating or pelvic discomfort lasts more than two to three weeks, or you have bleeding after menopause.

When to get help

Contact your gynaecologist or oncologist promptly if symptoms are new, persistent or worsening. Do not wait for them to settle on their own, and do not delay treatment for alternative therapies. Early assessment and a clear plan with your team give the best chance of good outcomes.

Remember

Most women with these symptoms do not have cancer, but only a doctor's exam and tests can say.