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Privacy NoticeDid you know the shocking fact that one woman dies of ovarian cancer every two hours in the UK? The disease accounts for 5% of all cancer deaths in women in the UK and each year 7,500 women in the UK will be told they have ovarian cancer – that’s 21 every day. Although the survival rate is improving, there’s still more to be done. And as March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, there’s no better time to educate ourselves about this disease. In the past, it has been referred to as a “silent killer”, but if we familiarise ourselves with the crucial symptoms to look out for, we can take action if it’s needed.
March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the UK
(Image: GETTY)
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Rachel Mugnai, lead nurse adviser at Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “Unfortunately, there isn’t enough awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms in the general public. Because of that lack of awareness regarding symptoms, it can sadly be a real struggle to get an early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.” She added: “If everyone knows what symptoms to look for, they are more likely to seek help sooner and therefore a diagnosis might be made at an earlier stage. If you regularly experience any one or more of the main symptoms and it’s not normal for you, it’s important you contact your GP. It is unlikely that your symptoms are caused by a serious problem but it’s important to be checked just in case.” So, with that in mind, here are some key symptoms of ovarian cancer to look out for, whatever your age… Persistent bloating Everyone gets bloated from time to time for a host of reasons, but new and persistent bloating could be a symptom of ovarian cancer. “Just one in five women can name bloating as a main symptom of ovarian cancer,” said Rachel.
It’s important to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, so you can take action if needed
(Image: GETTY)
“But persistent bloating could point to ovarian cancer. So it’s not a bloating that comes and goes – it stays and gets progressively worse.” This is because there could be a build-up of fluid within the abdomen, which is also referred to as ascites. Feeling full quickly and / or loss of appetite Feeling full quicker than normal or losing your appetite can occur with and without bloating. Either way it’s worth a trip to the doctor. “Difficulties with appetite and eating can indicate ovarian cancer. Commonly people will say that they feel full quickly or that they’re not eating as much of their usual meals as they normally would before they get that sensation of feeling full or they might perhaps lose their appetite completely,” Rachel explained. Pelvic or abdominal pain If the tumour grows or spreads, ovarian cancer can cause abdominal or pelvic pain that is persistent over time. “As the cancer grows, it puts pressure on pelvic muscles, nerves, ligaments and blood vessels,” said Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Doctor and Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk). When it comes to identifying the pain, Rachel added, “It’s a pain that goes from underneath the ribs right down into the pelvis.”
Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain is a symptom
(Image: GETTY)
Urinary symptoms Ovarian cancer can also cause urinary symptoms. This can be related to the tumour putting pressure on the bladder, leading you to need to go to the toilet more frequently than normal. “Issues with passing urine is another really common symptom,” said Rachel. “People may feel they need to pass urine more frequently or more urgently or they may have some discomfort around the time of passing urine.” Other symptoms Besides the main four symptoms of ovarian cancer, there are other things to look out for. Health complaints such as indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea, back pain, feeling tired all the time, losing weight without trying and bleeding from the vagina after the menopause can all be things to warrant further investigation if they are new, frequent and persistent.
Indigestion and back pain could all be signs of ovarian cancer too
(Image: GETTY)
“As soon as somebody is worried about something, they ought to seek support straightaway,” said Rachel. Find out more about Target Ovarian Cancer and how to support its work at targetovariancancer.org.uk ‘My mum died of ovarian cancer’ Sarah Johnston’s mum Lesley died at the age of 43, just four days after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer… “Around 18 months before Mum died, she began complaining about being bloated and feeling fatigued. She was always feeling full too, but the doctors couldn’t find anything wrong. After a number of visits, a scan showed cysts on her ovaries. For months, she was in and out of hospital getting them drained, but there was no real mention of ovarian cancer until four days before she died.
Sarah’s mum died just days after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer
(Image: Sarah Johnston)
One day in November 2017, she was rushed to hospital and the doctors rang to tell my family to come. We were taken to a ward and told that Mum had ovarian cancer. I felt numb. Mum remained positive and said she’d take whatever treatment she was given. But when the doctors were in the middle of making a plan, I got another call to say she’d deteriorated. I went back to the hospital and she was put into an induced coma. Nothing could be done. She was brought out of her coma and she survived for just two days. It was very scary. Even now I sometimes don’t think it’s real.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnHealthReal Life
