Bloating is main sign of ovarian cancer but most women ignore it – the signs you need to know
BLOATING is something we all experience every now and then, but if it's happening all the time it could be a sign of something serious.
Chances are your full-feeling tummy is probably just down to something you ate, but if it keeps coming back you should see a doctor just to be safe.
Persistent bloating can be a sign of ovarian cancer, yet only a third of women in the UK would go to their doctor about it, according to
"Bloating is something that most of us experience from time to time (often when we have eaten something that doesn’t agree with us), and when people learn that persistent bloating can be a sign of ovarian cancer there is often a lot of panic and confusion," Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of The Eve Appeal, told The Sun Online.
";Persistent is the key word here. If your abdomen is swollen or ‘puffy’ and causing you discomfort for three weeks or more, then although the chances of it being ovarian cancer are very small, we still recommend going to see your doctor."
You shouldn't automatically put bloating down to weight gain or other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - although it is much more likely to be caused by this.
"We would advise to always follow the ‘rule of three’. If you’ve had symptoms for three weeks or more, then visit your GP," a blog post on the charity's website said.
"If you’ve had to see your GP on more than three occasions for these symptoms, and haven’t been referred to a specialist, ask for a referral.
"Going back and forth between doctors can be frustrating whilst waiting for a diagnosis – but it is unlikely to be ovarian cancer in the majority of cases.
"IBS and similar conditions are much more likely and common, and the natural route a GP may take in the initial investigation.
"However, it’s important to be firm if you feel that you’re being misdiagnosed and explain that you are concerned about ovarian cancer or other possible gynaecological issues, and push for a referral to a gynaecologist."
What are the other signs you need to know?
As mentioned, many symptoms of ovarian cancer are hard to recognise as they are similar to conditions such as IBS.
Things to look out for include:
- A swollen stomach
- Feeling bloated constantly
- Needing to pee frequently
- Discomfort in your tummy or pelvic area
- Feeling full quickly when eating
WHO IS MOST AT RISK OF OVARIAN CANCER
A number of things can increase your risk from ovarian cancer, including:
- Age – Women older than 50 have a greater risk
- Family history – If ovarian or breast cancer runs in the family you could have inherited genes that make you more at risk
- Weight – If you are overweight you may be more susceptible
- Conditions – If you have endometriosis, where tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb grows outside the womb area, this can increase your chance. If you have had hormone replacement therapy (HRT), there is a very small chance this can increase your risk.
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries, which are a small pair of organs located in the female pelvic cavity.
They are an important part of the female reproductive system as they connect to the womb and store eggs.
If you have ovarian cancer, cells in or around your ovaries start to grow abnormally which can lead to tumours.
Ovarian cancer may affect one or both of your ovaries, and there are several types that can affect women of all ages.
These include:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer – This is the most common type and causes nine out of 10 cases. It develops in the cells that line your ovaries but can also affect cells in the fallopian tubes that connect your ovaries to the womb.
- Non-epithelial ovarian cancer – This type of ovarian cancer is much less common, and affects cells in your ovaries that produce eggs. Typically this type will affect younger women.
MORE ON OVARIAN CANCER
How is it treated?
The treatment for ovarian cancer depends on the type and how far spread it is.
Common treatments are:
- Surgery – This is done to remove the cancerous cells from the body. Often this can involve removing both ovaries, the fallopian tubes and the womb.
- Chemotherapy – This is often done after surgery to kill any remaining cells, using medicine. Sometimes it can be used as a method to shrink cancer before surgery.
If the cancer has spread too far around the body, the aim of treatment will be to help reduce symptoms and to control the cancer as much as possible.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours