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Ovarian cancer

A blood test and scan are usually the first tests done to check for ovarian cancer, but other tests might be needed to get a diagnosis.

Main symptoms of ovarian cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include frequently (roughly 12 or more times a month) having:

  • a swollen tummy or feeling bloated
  • pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between the hips (pelvis)
  • no appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
  • an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

  • indigestion
  • constipation or diarrhoea
  • back pain
  • feeling tired all the time
  • losing weight without trying
  • bleeding from the vagina after the menopause

  • you have any symptoms of ovarian cancer

These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions.

But it's still important to get them checked by a GP. This is because if they're caused by cancer, finding it early can mean it's more treatable.

Main causes of ovarian cancer

The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age, with more than half of all cases in the UK in those aged 65 and over.

Anyone with ovaries can get ovarian cancer. This includes women, trans men, non-binary people and intersex people with a ovaries.

You cannot get ovarian cancer if you've had surgery to remove your ovaries.

You may have a higher chance of getting ovarian cancer if you:

  • inherited a faulty gene, such as the BRCA genes or those linked to Lynch syndrome
  • had breast cancer or bowel cancer
  • had radiotherapy treatment for a previous cancer
  • have endometriosis or diabetes
  • started your periods at a young age or went through the menopause late (over 55), or have not had a baby – because these things may mean you’ve released more eggs (ovulated more)
  • have never used any hormonal contraception, such as the pill or an implant
  • are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • are overweight
  • smoke

How to lower your risk of getting ovarian cancer

You cannot always prevent ovarian cancer but there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting it.

  • quit smoking

  • stay a healthy weight or lose weight if you're overweight

  • talk with a GP about possible tests or treatment (taking a hormonal contraception or removing your ovaries) if ovarian cancer runs in your family

It's important to get any symptoms of ovarian cancer checked by a GP.

Main tests for ovarian cancer

A blood test and a scan are usually done first, but other tests are often needed to diagnose ovarian cancer.

You may have an ultrasound scan to see if there are changes to your ovaries.

This might be done using a scanning device (the size of a finger) inserted into your vagina (transvaginal scan). Or you may have an external scan over your tummy area (abdominal scan).

If your scan comes back normal, but your 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 your ovaries (needle biopsy),
  • looking at your ovaries using a camera on the end of a tube through a small cut in your tummy (laparoscopy)
  • surgery to remove tissue or possibly your ovaries (laparotomy)

Treatment for ovarian cancer

Treatment for ovarian cancer will depend on:

  • the size and type of ovarian cancer you have
  • where the cancer is
  • if it has spread
  • your general health

The main treatments are surgery and chemotherapy. Other treatments include targeted medicines and hormone treatments.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

  • explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
  • work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
  • talk to you about how treatment may affect you, for instance if there are any side effects

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Where to find help and support

You and your loved ones will be supported throughout your ovarian cancer treatment by a group of specialists.

The clinical nurse specialist, or another member of your specialist team will be able to give you information on local support services that you may find helpful.

There are also national cancer charities that offer support and information about ovarian cancer.

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

  • Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
  • Helpline: 0808 808 00 00
  • Macmillan Cancer Support: support line service
  • Macmillan Cancer Support: online forum
  • Macmillan Cancer Support: find local support services

Cancer Research UK

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

  • Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org
  • Nurse helpline: 0808 800 4040
  • Cancer Research UK: ask a nurse service
  • Cancer Research UK: online cancer chat forum
  • Cancer Research UK: find a clinical trial service

Ovacome

Information and support for anyone affected by ovarian cancer.

  • Website: www.ovacome.org.uk
  • Ovacome: support for LGBTQ+ people
  • Ovacome: support in other languages
  • Helpline: 07503 682 311 or Freephone 0800 008 7054
  • Text and WhatsApp: 07503 682 311
  • Ovacome: online forum
  • E-mail: support@ovacome.org.uk

Target Ovarian cancer

Information and support for anyone affected by ovarian cancer.

  • Website: www.targetovariancancer.org.uk
  • Helpline: 020 7923 5475
  • Target Ovarian Cancer: online contact form
  • Email: support@targetovariancancer.org.uk

Eve Appeal

Information and support for anyone affected by vaginal, ovarian, cervical, and vulval cancers.

  • Website: www.eveappeal.org.uk
  • Helpline: 0808 802 0019
  • Eve Appeal: ask eve information service
  • Eve Appeal: ask eve community forum

Maggie's Centres

Practical, emotional and social support for anyone affected by cancer.

  • Website: www.maggiescentres.org
  • Helpline: 0300 123 1801
  • Maggie's Centres
  • Maggie's online community

Marie Curie

Care and support for anyone affected by a terminal illness.

  • Website: www.mariecurie.org.uk
  • Helpline: 0800 090 2309
  • Marie Curie: patient services

Related links

Ovarian cancer

Symptoms

Causes

Tests and next steps

Treatment

Help and support

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25,585 public posts

Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast

Hello everyone… It is World Ovarian Cancer Day so today there is an extra episode of “Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast” to mark the event.
Hello everyone… It is World Ovarian Cancer Day so today there is an extra episode of “Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast” to mark the event.
Levanah profile image
Levanah
in My Ovacome

Ovarian Cancer 101 Webinar- 2/17/22

Ovarian Cancer 101 Thursday, February 17 from 1-2pm ET Making sense of an ovarian cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming.
Ovarian Cancer 101 Thursday, February 17 from 1-2pm ET Making sense of an ovarian cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming.
SHAREPrograms profile image
SHAREPrograms
Partnerin SHARE Ovarian Cancer Support

Episode 18 Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast

Episode 18 of “Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast” is now available to listen to on all of your usual podcasts platforms. There are two episodes in March because it is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in the U.K. so do have a listen to Episode 17 with Hannah too.
Episode 18 of “Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast” is now available to listen to on all of your usual podcasts platforms. There are two episodes in March because it is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in the U.K. so do have a listen to Episode 17 with Hannah too.
Levanah profile image
Levanah
in My Ovacome
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Ovarian cancer and shopping for healthcare products: using transactional data to investigate the pathway to diagnosis of ovarian cancer

It's titled 'Ovarian cancer and shopping for healthcare products: using transactional data to investigate the pathway to diagnosis of ovarian cancer'.
It's titled 'Ovarian cancer and shopping for healthcare products: using transactional data to investigate the pathway to diagnosis of ovarian cancer'.
TheOvacomeTeam profile image
TheOvacomeTeam
Partnerin My Ovacome

Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast

She shares her story with Ovarian Cancer and the struggle to get a definitive diagnosis. Jane is a very proactive lady who used the internet in a positive way to learn more about her disease and what was available to help her.
She shares her story with Ovarian Cancer and the struggle to get a definitive diagnosis. Jane is a very proactive lady who used the internet in a positive way to learn more about her disease and what was available to help her.
Levanah profile image
Levanah
in My Ovacome

Ovarian Cancer clinical trial - ACTOv

I haven't had a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer myself, but I am a twice diagnosed patient myself- Wilms tumour in 1991 and Cervical adenocarcinoma in 2019, so finding out about new treatments on the trials I am involved with gives me hope for future patients.
I haven't had a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer myself, but I am a twice diagnosed patient myself- Wilms tumour in 1991 and Cervical adenocarcinoma in 2019, so finding out about new treatments on the trials I am involved with gives me hope for future patients.
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Krobbo278
in My Ovacome

Research Participation Opportunity

The research hopes to identify areas for improvement in supporting the lives of patients living with ovarian cancer and the people that care for them after 1st surgery and chemotherapy.
The research hopes to identify areas for improvement in supporting the lives of patients living with ovarian cancer and the people that care for them after 1st surgery and chemotherapy.
SHAREPrograms profile image
SHAREPrograms
Partnerin SHARE Ovarian Cancer Support

Rising CA-125 after first cycle

Hi everyone, my mom is being treated for her second reoccurrence of advanced ovarian cancer stage 3c. She has only had her first cycle of taxol + biweekly avastin and her CA-125 has risen from 25 to 31.5. She had her port fitted 2 days back. Could that be causing the CA-125 to rise?
Hi everyone, my mom is being treated for her second reoccurrence of advanced ovarian cancer stage 3c. She has only had her first cycle of taxol + biweekly avastin and her CA-125 has risen from 25 to 31.5. She had her port fitted 2 days back. Could that be causing the CA-125 to rise?
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ShamilaS
in My Ovacome

Podcast episode 16

I’m excited to tell you that Episode 16 of “Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast “ is now available to listen to. Della had Breast Cancer and 10 years later Ovarian Cancer. She tested BRCA positive. Della tells me what is like to be a black woman diagnosed with two cancers.
I’m excited to tell you that Episode 16 of “Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast “ is now available to listen to. Della had Breast Cancer and 10 years later Ovarian Cancer. She tested BRCA positive. Della tells me what is like to be a black woman diagnosed with two cancers.
Levanah profile image
Levanah
in My Ovacome

Survey: Covid-19 two years later: How are people with ovarian cancer dealing with the pandemic?

Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CV19Ovca2022 Many survivors participated in the 2020 Covid-19 Ovarian Cancer Survey. This allowed us to bring the collective voice of survivors immediately to the medical community.
Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CV19Ovca2022 Many survivors participated in the 2020 Covid-19 Ovarian Cancer Survey. This allowed us to bring the collective voice of survivors immediately to the medical community.
SHAREPrograms profile image
SHAREPrograms
Partnerin SHARE Ovarian Cancer Support

Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast

“Living with Ovarian Cancer” is the only podcast where women with ovarian cancer get to share their stories. I wanted to give women like us a voice and a platform to share what we have been through and what is important ti us.
“Living with Ovarian Cancer” is the only podcast where women with ovarian cancer get to share their stories. I wanted to give women like us a voice and a platform to share what we have been through and what is important ti us.
Levanah profile image
Levanah
in My Ovacome

Program TODAY - What to Know About Ovarian Cancer Recurrence

Joan was a nurse diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer at the birth of her third child. She lived with ovarian cancer for 22 years. With her natural wry humor and intelligence, Joan and her family inspired and supported the SHARE community. The Sommer legacy continues.
Joan was a nurse diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer at the birth of her third child. She lived with ovarian cancer for 22 years. With her natural wry humor and intelligence, Joan and her family inspired and supported the SHARE community. The Sommer legacy continues.
alisha_share profile image
alisha_share
in SHARE Ovarian Cancer Support

Plural enfusion ovarian cancer

Can anybody help please, mums had a plural enfusion she has ovarian cancer, since then when she swallows she has an excruciating pain in bottom of oesophagus, and now can’t eat at all, hasn’t eaten for over a week due to this new problem she could eat perfectly fine before this enfusion On the scan it
Can anybody help please, mums had a plural enfusion she has ovarian cancer, since then when she swallows she has an excruciating pain in bottom of oesophagus, and now can’t eat at all, hasn’t eaten for over a week due to this new problem she could eat perfectly fine before this enfusion On the scan it
Aliollie profile image
Aliollie
in My Ovacome

Seems it is back :(

My mom had ovarian cancer 2017 than may 2021 it was back last chemo was 17.10.2021, ca 125 froM 220 went down to 22.5 after 3 month it went up to 110 and now after 5 month it is 248 :((( on monday there is ct scan but i us i feel nothing good, as i understand she is platinum resistant?
My mom had ovarian cancer 2017 than may 2021 it was back last chemo was 17.10.2021, ca 125 froM 220 went down to 22.5 after 3 month it went up to 110 and now after 5 month it is 248 :((( on monday there is ct scan but i us i feel nothing good, as i understand she is platinum resistant?
Inguc_is profile image
Inguc_is
in My Ovacome

End of life advice and ovarian cancer.

I have been told there s nothing more they can do for me in healing my ovarian cancer. (4yrs in treatment) so depressed about this. Don’t know how to face what’s in front of me and how long I have to live and what I have to go through. Can anyone give me advice?
I have been told there s nothing more they can do for me in healing my ovarian cancer. (4yrs in treatment) so depressed about this. Don’t know how to face what’s in front of me and how long I have to live and what I have to go through. Can anyone give me advice?
Barbie85 profile image
Barbie85
in SHARE Ovarian Cancer Support

Doxorubicin

I was just notified today that I will need to start monthly infusions of doxil as my ovarian cancer which I was diagnosed with in December of 2017 is now spreading into my omentum and on my colon. I finished 5 rounds of Carbo/taxol in July of 2021.
I was just notified today that I will need to start monthly infusions of doxil as my ovarian cancer which I was diagnosed with in December of 2017 is now spreading into my omentum and on my colon. I finished 5 rounds of Carbo/taxol in July of 2021.
Cancerfree57 profile image
Cancerfree57
in My Ovacome

My ovarian cancer story thus far

In dec2018 after experiencing abdominal distention I was diagnosed with stage 3c ov did chemo 3 rounds Carbo/Taxol total debulking then 3 more rounds of chemo I had normal ca125 until yesterday it was 57 I have no symptoms so now the scans start I am73 pretty much alone since Covid at this age is isolating
In dec2018 after experiencing abdominal distention I was diagnosed with stage 3c ov did chemo 3 rounds Carbo/Taxol total debulking then 3 more rounds of chemo I had normal ca125 until yesterday it was 57 I have no symptoms so now the scans start I am73 pretty much alone since Covid at this age is isolating
Gabbygoose profile image
Gabbygoose
in SHARE Ovarian Cancer Support

Good News.

I first visited my GP March 2021 and was told I had suspected ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed 4a, had 6 chemo, debulking surgery and have had 1 post op chemo (final one to do tomorrow). On Monday my Oncologist gave me my last scan results and they were clear of disease with my CA125 at 18.
I first visited my GP March 2021 and was told I had suspected ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed 4a, had 6 chemo, debulking surgery and have had 1 post op chemo (final one to do tomorrow). On Monday my Oncologist gave me my last scan results and they were clear of disease with my CA125 at 18.
Morini profile image
Morini
in My Ovacome

Living with Ovarian Cancer Podcast Episode 14

Episode 14 of my Podcast is ready to listen to: In this episode, I am talking to Lesley Anderson who is living with a rare sub-type of Ovarian Cancer known as Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.
Episode 14 of my Podcast is ready to listen to: In this episode, I am talking to Lesley Anderson who is living with a rare sub-type of Ovarian Cancer known as Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.
Levanah profile image
Levanah
in My Ovacome

Ovacome is looking to talk to people with ovarian cancer on a low income, about how this has affected your experience.

Hi all Ovacome is looking to talk to anyone with ovarian cancer who lives in the UK and is on a low income about how this has affected your experience of ovarian cancer.
Hi all Ovacome is looking to talk to anyone with ovarian cancer who lives in the UK and is on a low income about how this has affected your experience of ovarian cancer.
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OvacomeSupport
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