OFTEN dubbed the “silent killer” thanks to a lack of clear symptoms, around 7,500 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year.
In fact, it’s the fifth most common cancer in women after breast, lung, bowel and womb cancer.
Although the signs of ovarian cancer can be sketchy, there ARE some obvious symptoms, and it’s vital to know them.
If ovarian cancer is diagnosed at stage 1, a woman has a 90 per cent chance of surviving five or more years.
Sadly though, most women aren’t diagnosed at this early stage, and sometimes it can be left so late the chances of survival drop to a devastating four per cent.
What’s even more daunting is that many of the symptoms that could indicate ovarian cancer are also akin to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), something many UK women experience every single month.
The Lady Garden Foundation, a charity raising awareness of gynaecological health, predicts that in 2022, 4,000 UK women will die from ovarian cancer.
The majority of these women will be over 50, but the disease can affect women of all ages.
The stats can be scary, but armed with the right knowledge and information, women can help protect themselves and loved ones.
With March marking Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the UK, we spoke to an expert to sort fact from fiction…
The symptoms
Dr John Butler is a consultant gynaecological oncology surgeon at The Royal Marsden as well as medical director of The Lady Garden Foundation.
He explains that fortunately, most women do have symptoms that can help achieve an early diagnosis.
“The most common symptoms are abdominal swelling or bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, reduced appetite or feeling full more quickly and the need to pass urine more frequently.”
Dr Butler says these symptoms are common and usually do not mean there is a problem however, if they persist after a few weeks or are increasing, it’s important to get checked out.
He adds: “In common with other cancers in the abdomen there are other symptoms such as indigestion, change in bowel habit, feeling tired, back pain, losing weight without trying, shortness or breath, feeling a new lump, or abnormal vaginal bleeding.”
PMS or ovarian cancer?
It can be hard to differentiate between the two as symptoms are so similar.
“PMS is characterised by physical and psychological symptoms that occur before menstruation, then resolve,” says Dr Butler.
“Ovarian cancer symptoms are not related to the menstrual cycle and usually become progressively worse with time.”
He recommends tracking symptoms and seeking medical advice if you are concerned.
Essentially, if your symptoms come and go with your period, then it’s likely not a sign of ovarian cancer.
But, as Dr Butler points out, there are other conditions which these symptoms could indicate- such as endometriosis, so “it’s still important to get checked out”, as these can be treated.
When to see a doctor
It’s important to be aware and stay in tune with your body, so you can notice any changes that are separate to any PMS symptoms you may experience.
Dr Butler says that if you have any severe symptoms, seek prompt medical advice.
“For more subtle symptoms it’s worth getting checked out if they have not settled within six weeks.”
Risk factors
“The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age and most women are diagnosed after the menopause,” says Dr Butler.
“We are learning more about the genetic causes of ovarian cancer and about 15 per cent of patients have a hereditary condition that caused their cancer.”
Other factors have also been noted.
Cancer Research UK states that ovarian cancer is more common in white women than Asian or black women.
Plus, ovarian cancer cases in the UK are highest in females aged 75 to 79, however cases rise more steeply from around the age of 40 to 44.
Lifestyle habits
According to Cancer Research UK, only 11 per cent of ovarian cancer cases are preventable, however Dr Butler does explain that in common with all cancers, a healthy lifestyle, normal weight and smoking avoidance reduce the risk of cancer.
“The two biggest things that people can do to reduce their risk of cancer are stopping smoking and maintaining a healthy weight,” he reveals.
In fact, previous research has suggested that seven per cent of ovarian cancer cases are caused by being overweight and/or obese in the UK.
Dr Butler adds that generally, it’s important to eat a balanced diet with fresh fruit, vegetables and plenty of fibre alongside regular exercise and limiting alcohol.
Dr Butler also says that the combined contraceptive pill, if taken for five years or more, reduces the risk of ovarian and womb cancer.
“But this does not provide 100 per cent protection and if you have symptoms you are worried about you should get checked out.”
Treatment options
In positive news, Dr Butler explains that better outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer are being seen all the time.
“Most patients need a combination of surgery and chemotherapy to treat their disease, and as we find more out about the disease, we are able to tailor treatments to the specific sub type of cancer a patient has.”
The treatment needed can be dictated by the stage at which the cancer has been found.
