Exclusive:
With March marking Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, knowing some of the common signs and symptoms is important when it comes to early diagnosis – and it can help save lives
Around 7,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK every year, and according to research by the charity Ovarian Cancer Action, it kills more women than cervical, vulval, womb and vagina cancers combined. But the signs can be difficult to recognise, with the charity reporting that 90% of people do not know the symptoms.
Dr Rosie Godeseth, associate medical director at Vitality, tells us, “Ovarian cancer is often referred to in the media as the ‘silent killer’ as many of the symptoms are often vague and non-specific, including bloating, having a swollen tummy and feeling full when eating, which can easily be misattributed to busy lives and stresses, or be put down to other conditions or medical problems.”
This type of cancer is known to progress quickly, but the positive news is that 95% of women can survive if they are diagnosed early. Surgery to remove as much of the tumour and disease as possible is often the first course of action. If there’s evidence or suspicion that the cancer has spread, additional chemotherapy may be recommended.
Mr Saurabh Phadnis, consultant gynaecologist and gynaecological oncologist at London Gynaecology, says, “A common misconception is that ovarian cancer is incurable, but any cancer detected in its early stages can be curable. Even for ovarian cancer that is detected in stage three or four, there is treatment available, with longer survival.”
But there is currently no reliable test to screen for this type of cancer – Mr Phadnis points out that smear tests are aimed at detecting cervical pre-cancerous changes and have nothing to do with ovaries – so awareness of the symptoms is crucial. Here are five signs to watch out for…
Persistent bloating
Dr Mohamed Otify, consultant in gynaecological oncology at Nuffield Health Chester Hospital, says, “We all experience bloating occasionally, but if it feels constant or occurs frequently over several weeks, it’s worth paying attention. A tummy that feels swollen or unusually full could be an early warning sign.”
Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
Another potential red flag is a dull ache or discomfort in your lower abdomen or pelvis that doesn’t seem to go away – especially if it’s not tied to your menstrual cycle. Valentina Milanova, women’s health expert and founder of gynaecological health company Daye, says, “This discomfort might feel similar to menstrual cramps but persists beyond the usual timeframe.”
Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite
If you are unable to finish meals or feel full after just a few bites, this could indicate something more serious is happening underneath the surface. Although weight fluctuations are common, significant changes without clear cause should be investigated.
Changes in bowel habits
Any sudden or persistent changes in how your bowels behave should not be ignored, from constipation to diarrhoea or even needing to go more frequently. Valentina says, “Urinary and bowel movement changes are another important indicator.” She explains an increased urgency to urinate or needing to go to the loo more frequently than usual could be a sign of ovarian cancer. “These changes occur because the growing tumour may press on the bladder,” she says.
Unexplained fatigue
Feeling constantly tired or drained, even after a good night’s sleep, could be your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Valentina says, “Fatigue is a symptom that many of us might attribute to our lifestyles. However, persistent and unexplained tiredness, which doesn’t improve with rest, could be an early sign of ovarian cancer.” Dr Otify adds, “Trust your instincts – you know your body best.”
‘I was advised to have chemotherapy and surgery’
Shannon Lamb, 30, from Carnoustie, Scotland, was just 25 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer…
“I initially went to the doctor in 2020 because I was feeling rundown with flu-like symptoms and had a noticeable lump on the left-hand side of my stomach. It turned out to be a grapefruit-sized tumour on my left ovary, which was surgically removed one month after my diagnosis.
“I hoped to put it behind me, but in 2022, after feeling constantly out of breath and exhausted, I went for a chest X-ray that revealed suspicious nodules in my lung. A few days later, I had a blood test and was told I was pregnant.
“I was advised to have chemo and surgery to remove the tumours from my lung. There was uncertainty surrounding what these tumours were, so I had a lung biopsy when I was 15 weeks pregnant. The news came back that they were malignant and I faced a battle with stage four cancer. I was 16 weeks pregnant when the operation went ahead, and my surgeon removed a third of my right lung.
“Unfortunately, after the op, cancer was also found in my spine, pelvic bone, lymph node outside my lung and peritoneal. I was told I had weeks left to live. Four days after Hunter was born, I started my second round of chemotherapy.
“Since Hunter’s birth, I’ve had two stem cell transplants and chemo in 2023, and major surgery on my spine in October 2024 to make sure there was no cancer left behind. After such a heartbreaking battle, I have been told I’m now deemed to be in full remission.”
Shannon is supporting Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life in partnership with Standard Life. Visit raceforlife.org
