Ovarian cancer: clear signs, real risks and practical next steps
Most ovarian cancers are found late — and that’s why spotting small changes matters. This page gives straightforward, useful info: what to watch for, which tests doctors use, how treatment choices look, and what questions to ask your team.
What to watch for
Symptoms can be subtle. Track these for a few weeks and tell your doctor if they’re new or getting worse: bloating, pelvic or belly pain, early fullness when eating, frequent or urgent urination, unexplained weight loss or gain, and changes in bowel habits. If you notice any of these often — not just once — write them down with when they started and how they affect your day.
Don’t ignore persistent bloating or pelvic discomfort because they feel minor. Early detection improves options and outcomes.
Risk factors and screening basics
Risk rises with age; most cases happen after menopause. Family history matters: BRCA1/BRCA2 or other hereditary cancer genes raise risk. Other factors: never having been pregnant, endometriosis, and certain hormone histories. Using combined oral contraceptives for several years actually lowers long-term risk.
There’s no routine screening for average-risk women like there is for cervical cancer. If you’re high risk (strong family history or known gene change), ask your doctor about genetic testing, more frequent pelvic exams, transvaginal ultrasound, or specialist referral.
Common tests doctors use: a pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound, and a blood test called CA-125. None are perfect alone — CA-125 can be raised by non-cancer conditions and some cancers don’t raise it. Often the next step is a referral to a gynecologic oncologist for more precise evaluation.
If imaging and blood tests look suspicious, doctors usually recommend surgery to confirm diagnosis and stage the cancer.
Treatment typically starts with surgery to remove the tumor and affected tissue, followed by chemotherapy in many cases. Newer options include targeted therapy and immunotherapy for certain types of ovarian cancer. Clinical trials can offer access to cutting-edge treatments—ask your oncology team if any fit your case.
Practical steps you can take now: keep a symptom diary, gather family health history (parents, siblings, grandparents), ask your GP for a pelvic exam if you’re worried, and request referral to a gynecologic oncologist when tests are unclear or symptoms persist.
When to get urgent care: severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, sudden swelling that makes breathing hard, fainting, or severe vomiting. Those need immediate attention.
Bring these questions to your appointment: What tests do you recommend and why? Should I see a specialist? If this is cancer, what stage might it be and what are the treatment options? What side effects should I expect? Are there support services or genetic tests I should consider?
Dealing with this is tough, but clear steps and asking the right questions help you stay in control. If you want more detail on any part—symptoms, tests, or treatments—ask and I’ll dig deeper.
