varian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women after breast, lung, bowel and uterine cancers. Each year around 6,800 women in the UK are diagnosed with the disease.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
Ovarian Cancer in its early stages can be very difficult to detect. The most common symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary urgency or frequency
Although these symptoms can also be related to other conditions they can suggest that ovarian cancer exists. It is important that if you experience symptoms that are out of the ordinary for you and if they persist almost daily for 2 weeks or more this is something that you should discuss with your GP or Gynaecologist.
Additional symptoms of ovarian cancer, which can also be symptoms of other conditions, include:
- Upset stomach
- Back pain
- Pain during sex
- Constipation
- Menstrual changes
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Ongoing unusual fatigue
Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer
Mr Downes would perform a full pelvic examination, ultrasound scan and a Ca125 blood test. This test is to measure levels of Ca125, a protein in the blood produced by most ovarian cancer cells and by other non-cancerous conditions.