Six lesser-known symptoms of ovarian cancer every woman needs to be aware of

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as a 'silent killer' but experts have said that this is because the signs are often ignored or mistaken and here are six lesser-known symptoms

People are being warned of six lesser-known symptoms of ovarian cancer that debunk the myth it is a silent killer, say experts.

Ovarian cancer is most common in women over the age 50 who have gone through the menopause but it can develop at any age. As the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions the cancer can be difficult to recognise but there are early signs to look out for, such as persistent bloating, pain in the pelvis and lower stomach, and difficulty eating, states the NHS. And the Siteman Cancer Center, in Missouri, the United States, similarly says: “The first symptoms of ovarian cancer are easy to miss, which is why it has long been called the ‘silent killer’.

However it adds: “But ovarian cancer isn’t really a silent killer; the early signs are often ignored or mistaken for other benign conditions. Gynecologic symptoms for cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers are all easy to brush off, but being able to identify early symptoms is crucial.” The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but certain things are thought to increase a woman’s risk of developing the condition, such as age, the number of eggs the ovaries release and whether someone in your family has had ovarian or breast cancer in the past. However, only 1 in 10 cases of ovarian cancer has a genetic link. Here is a list of six lesser known signs of ovarian cancer to look out for :

• Bloating
• Abdominal discomfort or back pain
• Pelvic pain
• Irregular bleeding
• Change in bowel or bladder habits
• Feeling full too quickly or lack of appetite

Main tests for ovarian cancer

A blood test and a scan are usually done first, but other examinations are often needed to diagnose ovarian cancer. You may have an ultrasound scan to see if there are changes to your ovaries, states the NHS. This might be done using a scanning device (the size of a finger) inserted into the vagina (transvaginal scan). Or you may have an external scan over your stomach area (abdominal scan).

If the scan comes back normal, but the symptoms continue for a month or more, see a GP again. Sometimes ovaries are too small to show up on a scan, especially after the menopause. Other tests you may have include: a CT scan, removing a small sample of cells or fluid from the ovaries (needle biopsy), looking at the ovaries using a camera on the end of a tube through a small cut in the stomach (laparoscopy), surgery to remove tissue or possibly the ovaries (laparotomy).