Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: List of symptoms and FAQs

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Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is here to shine a light on the symptoms of this disease and take a step towards making cancer a survivable condition.

At present, only three in 10 women diagnosed live beyond 10 years, and this needs to change.

Around 7500 women receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis in the UK every year, but it is vital to raise awareness of the symptoms so women will recognise when something is wrong, and seek treatment sooner.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Ovarian cancer mainly develops in older women, with around half of sufferers aged 63 and above. However, Ovarian Cancer diagnoses have been falling over the past few decades, and statistics show fewer women are dying due to better treatment.

However, ovarian cancer can be hard to detect in the early stages as it is mostly symptomless. If you are experiencing the following symptoms you should seek medical help.

Ovarian cancer symptoms

Abdominal enlargement or swelling
Abdominal fullness and pain
Pain in lower abdomen
Feeling full after eating very little
Tiredness
Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Clothes not fitting well
Swelling of legs
Shortness of breath
Bleeding from vagina
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Weight loss or gain
Unexplained back pain

Would a smear test detect ovarian cancer?

A routine pap smear test cannot detect Ovarian Cancer. A smear test is a routine test for cervical cancer. At present, there is no single, reliable test for ovarian cancer.

How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

A blood test and scan are usually done first to diagnose ovarian cancer. A scanning device may be inserted into your vagina (transvaginal scan), or you may have an external scan over your abdominal area to check for any changes.

Your healthcare provider may also carry out several other tests to diagnose ovarian cancer. These may include the following:

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)

Ovarian cancer treatment

If you receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis, the treatment you receive may depend on what stage the cancer is at, if the cancer has spread, as well as your general health.

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

Is ovarian cancer genetic?

Ovarian Cancer can be genetic, as 20 per cent of cases occur because of changes to one or more genes known to increase the risk of this type of cancer. This gene will have been passed on from your mother or father.

Some types of ovarian cancer (such as high grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer) are more likely to be caused by a variant in a gene than others (such as mucinous or germ cell ovarian cancer).

Ovarian cancer – Medical negligence

If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer but believe you have experienced a delayed diagnosis, your healthcare provider failed to provide treatment or you have suffered as a result of the care you have received by a medical professional, you may be entitled to bring about a medical negligence claim for compensation.

Medical negligence – How to make a claim

If you believe you have experienced Medical Negligence in relation to ovarian cancer, Oakwood Solicitors team of legal experts are on hand to assist with your claim.

Our team will be able to give you free advice on the prospects of your case, and whether you would be eligible to make a claim.