An expert has warned that some “subtle” symptoms you might easily ignore could be a sign of a deadly disease. According to a gynaecologist, many women can experience warning signs of ovarian cancer but not even realise.
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer found in women in the UK, figures from Cancer Research UK show. Each year around 7,400 women are diagnosed with the disease.
One of the biggest issues with this type of cancer is that currently more than 75 percent of cases are diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer has already spread into the abdomen or beyond. Although treatments have significantly improved, a later diagnosis does mean that survival rates are lower.
With this in mind, gynaecologist Doctor Susanna Unsworth warned that ovarian cancer does not often cause significant symptoms until it has already become quite advanced.
But she claimed there are several subtle symptoms that may occur earlier.
Speaking to The Mirror, she said: “I would encourage booking a review with your GP if you are experiencing them. Many of the symptoms are subtle and do not mean that you have ovarian cancer. But it is worth having them checked out to hopefully exclude any underlying problem.”
Dr Unsworth, who is the founder of Cambridge Women’s Health Menopause Clinic and menopause supplement Meno8, claimed the “key symptoms” to look out for are bloating, pain, urinary symptoms and a lump or swelling.
In terms of bloating, this is “new onset bloating, bloating that does not settle within two to weeks, bloating that is happening frequently without an obvious trigger, and bloating that is not resolving with the usual treatments/dietary changes”. Regarding pain, she said you need to be wary of “a new pain in the pelvis, back or lower abdomen that does not quickly settle”.
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Dr Unsworth went on to say that if you notice you are passing “urine more frequently or develop the need to get up during the night to pass urine” this could be a warning sign. In addition to this, you may also experience a loss of appetite or feeling full quickly after eating and if you notice any lump or swelling in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
Other symptoms to look out for, as listed by the NHS, include persistent indigestion, change in bowel habit (either constipation or diarrhoea), unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
She explained when to speak to your GP. Dr Unsworth said: “These symptoms can often be quite subtle, and many are associated with other common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. The key thing is if the symptoms are new to you, are different to your usual symptoms, or do not respond to your usual treatments, then it makes sense to get them checked out.
“When you see your GP, discuss the symptoms you are experiencing. I would also suggest telling your GP that you are concerned about ovarian cancer.
“As a doctor, it is much easier for me, if I also know what you are worried about – that way I can assess the problem fully for you, making sure whatever is done has helped answer the questions you had.
“After discussing the symptoms, your GP will likely want to do an examination. This will include an examination of your tummy, and may also include an internal vaginal examination as this is the best way to see if there are any swellings around the ovaries.
“In early ovarian cancer, often the examination will actually be normal, as there may not yet be anything to feel. Therefore, your GP will likely arrange other tests for you such as a pelvic ultrasound or Ca125 blood test looking for a protein known as a tumour marker.”
Dr Unsworth added: “If any of these tests raise any level of concern, your GP will refer you to see a gynaecology specialist to arrange further assessment. If the tests are normal, the likelihood of ovarian cancer is extremely low and other options to manage the symptoms can be recommended.”
However, it is worth noting that symptoms such as bloating can have many different causes and are not necessarily linked to ovarian cancer. The NHS says: “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.”
