Ovarian Cancer Awareness: Listen To Your Body

Ovarian Cancer Awareness: Listen To Your Body

This week, Dr Rosie shines a spotlight on ovarian cancer – a condition that can often be treated successfully when it’s found early. The difficulty is that many people are diagnosed late, when they are already quite unwell and treatment options can be more limited.

Ovarian cancer mainly affects women after the menopause, but it can happen at any age. You are more at risk if you are over 50, have a close relative who has had ovarian or breast cancer, or carry certain inherited gene changes such as BRCA. Having had ovarian cysts or being a smoker can also increase risk.

One of the biggest challenges is that the early symptoms can be vague. They can easily be put down to “getting older”, stress, or digestive issues. Symptoms to look out for include:

• Persistent bloating or a swollen tummy
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvis or lower tummy
• Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite
• Needing to wee more often or more urgently
• Unexplained fatigue, back pain or changes to your normal bowel habits

On their own, these symptoms are usually caused by something less serious. But if they are new for you, happen often (for example, most days for a few weeks) or just don’t feel right, it’s important not to ignore them.

Dr Rosie’s key message is simple: you know your body best. If something changes and doesn’t settle, trust your instincts and speak to your GP. Getting checked early could mean that, if it is ovarian cancer, it’s found at a stage when treatment is more effective – and that can make all the difference.

• Find out more about Ovarian Cancer at the NHS