Four early signs of ovarian cancer that women overlooked before diagnosis

Ovarian cancer is the 16th most common cancer in the UK, accounting for two percent of all new cancer cases.

Cancer Research outlines that there are around 7,600 new cases of ovarian cancer in the UK every year, which works out to about 21 every single day.

That number could rise to around 9,400 new cases every year in the UK by 2038-2040, projections suggest.

A person’s risk of developing cancer depends on several different factors, including age, genetics, and exposure to risk factors, which may include some potentially avoidable lifestyle factors.

But what are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer, according to women who have been diagnosed with it?

Taking to the 'ovarian cancer' thread on Reddit, one woman asked: "What are some early symptoms just in general?"

Dozens rushed to the comments, sharing the particular symptoms they noticed before getting a diagnosis, including one person who explained: "The problem with ovarian cancer symptoms is that they are really vague."

Women have opened up about their experiences before being diagnosed with ovarian cancer (Getty Stock Images)

She continued: "I confused mine with bad eating habits, menopause, and age. I am prone to ulcers from stress and eating gluten, so the raging heartburn should have been a symptom, but it wasn't.

"I changed jobs from housekeeping (super active) to being a caregiver for children (more sedentary), so the weight I gained should have been a symptom, but it wasn't. I'm 58 and slowing down a little, so the fatigue I felt should have been a symptom, but it wasn't. My bowels were inconsistent, but so were my eating habits. That should have been a symptom, but it wasn't."

The woman concluded that the four main symptoms she experienced included heartburn, weight gain, constipation/loose stool and fatigue.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust explains that the main symptoms of gynaecological cancer can be 'very general', which is why it is so important to recognise what is normal for you.

And, as always, if you notice any abnormal changes, then it is recommended to seek advice from your GP as soon as possible, who will be able to refer you for further investigations.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

• persistent bloating - not bloating that comes and goes
• feeling full quickly and/or loss of appetite
• pelvic or abdominal pain (that’s your tummy and below)
• urinary systems (needing to wee more urgently or more often than usual)

Ovarian cancer is the 16th most common cancer in the UK (Getty Stock Images)

Occasionally, there can be other symptoms:

• changes in bowel habit (e.g. diarrhoea or constipation)
• extreme fatigue (feeling very tired)
• unexplained weight loss

While ovarian cancer mostly affects women over the age of 50, it can affect anyone who has ovaries.

You can find out more about ovarian cancer on the official NHS website here.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.