Ovarian cancer: 10 things every woman should know
The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer – the disease that's also dubbed 'the silent killer' – can be hard to recognise, making it the most lethal cancer in the UK. Knowing what to look out for could help save your life. Here's what you should know ...
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Find out more about the symptoms of ovarian cancer here. If you spot anything that's not normal for you, don't delay calling your doctor.
1 Ovarian cancer is the most lethal
In a recent annual health report, England's Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies called for more to be done in terms of diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer. She drew attention to its low survival rates.
According to Dame Sally's report, ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological cancer and the most lethal. It affects around 7,400 women in the UK annually, and over 4,000 die from the disease each year.
Survival in England and the UK is low, with 10-year survival rates around 35%.
2 Symptoms are often confused with IBS
Ovarian cancer was once known as a 'silent' disease, in that the symptoms can be vague. However, experts now agree that the following symptoms are more frequent in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer:
- Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
- Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating - not bloating that comes and goes
- Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly
These symptoms are quite commonly experienced by women, however when they are experienced frequently, persistently and severely, the likelihood of ovarian cancer increases.
Occasionally other symptoms such as urinary symptoms, changes in bowel habit, extreme fatigue or back pain may also be experienced on their own or at the same time as those listed above. Again, it is most likely that these symptoms are not ovarian cancer, but may be present in some women with the disease.
The BEAT Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Checker is a handy, easy-to-use widget that can help if you (or someone you know) is worried about ovarian cancer.
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3 Always see your GP as soon as you're concerned
The good news about ovarian cancer is that if the outcome is good if it's diagnosed at an early stage. If treated early, patients have a 90% survival rate beyond five years.
However, because some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar to those seen in more common conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose. Most women are not diagnosed until the disease has spread, which is why it's important to see your GP if you're regularly experiencing any of these symptoms, and they're not normal for you.
It's unlikely that your symptoms are caused by a serious problem, but it's important to be checked out.
4 Know your family history
You should also mention if there are two or more cases of either/both ovarian or breast cancer in your family, as inheriting the faulty genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 means you have an increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.
Your GP may refer you to a genetic counsellor to help you decide whether to have genetic testing to see if you carry these genes.
5 No one knows what causes it
Experts don't know for certain what causes ovarian cancer, but it arises from faulty cells in and around the ovaries.
Cancer can occur in the ovary at any age, although women over 50 have a higher risk of developing the cancer, and most cases occur in those who have gone through the menopause.
6 Being overweight is a risk factor
A study from World Cancer Research Fund found that being obese inceases your risk of ovarian cancer. Having a healthy diet and doing regular exercise can reduce your risk.
7 Some lifestyle choices may affect your risk
Having children and breastfeeding cuts your risk of ovarian cancer because your ovaries stop producing eggs during this time so it's thought the hormonal effect of this could have a protective impact.
Taking the combined contraceptive pill alters different hormone levels in your body and is known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer if taken for five years or more.
There are some studies that suggest certain activities can increase risk, such as:
- Dairy consumption
- Taking HRT
- Using talcum powder
However, there is still considerable debate on the subject and some conflicting findings, says Ovacome, the ovarian cancer support charity.
8 Cervical screening won't detect it
Cervical screening tests – sometimes known as smear tests – will not help to detect ovarian cancer, only cervical cancer. This is a common myth.
9 Screening could save lives from ovarian cancer
There's no current screening programme for ovarian cancer, although results from a major sceening trial, funded by the Department of Health, have shown that annual screening may help reduce the number of women dying from ovarian cancer by around 20%.
To date, most ovarian cancers are not recognised at an early stage for a number of reasons.
- Cancer of the ovary usually develops after the menopause, when the ovaries are inactive and abnormal function of the ovary is not therefore readily noticed.
- The ovaries are located deep inside the pelvis and are inaccessible to examination.
Research regarding screening is ongoing.
10 Hopefully survival rates will start to improve
Dame Sally has highlighted the need to do more in terms of diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer, which is a step in the right direction.
Her latest health report has called for a national audit of ovarian cancer to improve outcomes for the disease.
Dame Sally said:
'Deaths from ovarian cancer are still stubbornly high - a national audit of ovarian cancer is surely long overdue given the numbers of deaths we are seeing from this silent killer. We have seen such audits improve outcomes for lung, bowel, head and neck cancers and I want to see the same happen for ovarian cancer.'
Find out more ...
Ovacome, the organisation that developed the Beat Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Checker, is a cancer support and information network. To find out more about ovarian cancer, visit website www.ovacome.org.uk.
