Warning signs for this gynaecological condition should never be ignored
The 6th most common cancer in UK women is ovarian cancer and with around 7,500 new cases a year, the warning signs for this type of cancer should never be ignored.
What symptoms should you be looking out for?
When it comes to ovarian cancer, the most common symptoms you should keep an eye out for are:
- Persistent bloating
- Difficulty eating or feeling full very quickly
- Persistent stomach pain
- Needing to wee more frequently
However, other ovarian cancer symptoms can include:
- Indigestion
- Back pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changes to your bowel habits (needing to go more or less)
- Extreme tiredness
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
If you’re unsure
Firstly, make sure you’re keeping a symptom diary. Not only could this help ensure you get a diagnosis quicker but it could also help you and any medical professional look for any patterns in your symptoms.
The symptoms for ovarian cancer can often be mistook for symptoms of other common illnesses such as;
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
It’s important to remember that only you know what’s normal and what’s out of the ordinary for your own body. So if your symptoms are persistent, severe, out of the ordinary and/or frequent then it’s best to err on the side of caution and see your doctor.
How your life insurance could help
If you have a life insurance policy with one of the UK’s top insurers, the likelihood is that you’ll have access to free additional benefits which more often than not, can be used by your immediate family as well as yourself.
With access to free 24/7 online GP appointments, you can speak to UK-based medical professionals from the comfort of your own home. These appointments can typically be accessed 365 days a year too, so no matter what day or time you wanted to speak to a GP, you don’t need to worry about getting seen quickly.
If the online GP suspects you have symptoms of ovarian cancer, they may be able to provide you with a pre diagnosis, so that you can go to your own GP with evidence and potentially speed things along.
Are you at risk?
Ovarian Cancer Action say that there are several different factors which may put you at an increased risk for ovarian cancer, such as:
- A family history of ovarian cancer can significantly increase your risk. This would mean two or more relatives on the same side of the family, who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or breast cancer, under the age of 50
- Your age can play a part too. Around 84% of cases are diagnosed in women over the age of 50, however, it is important to remember that women of any age are still at risk which is why knowing the symptoms is crucial
- A long menstrual history. Things that contribute to a long menstrual history include: starting periods earlier, reaching the menopause at a later age and never giving birth
- Faulty genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can also increase your risk
- Use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to potentially increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer
- Having endometriosis - this condition means that tissue similar to that on the lining of your womb, grows elsewhere in your body. There is some research which shows that those with this chronic health condition may be more at risk
If you’re worried about your risk of ovarian cancer, it's important to discuss them with your healthcare provider who can give you personalised guidance and recommendations. Early detection is key to successful treatment, so it's always better to err on the side of caution and see your GP if in doubt.
What might happen when you go to your GP?
It all depends on your signs and symptoms, plus your personal medical history.
But according to Cancer Research UK, what’s likely to happen during your GP appointment is your doctor will firstly ask about your symptoms and general health. Depending on your answers, your doctor may:
- Be able to reassure you
- Arrange for a CA125 blood test (this test checks the levels of CA125 in your blood, if the levels are higher than normal, it might be a sign of ovarian cancer)
- Want to give you a pelvic exam to see if your womb and ovaries feel normal
- Refer you to the hospital to see a specialist or to have tests for ovarian cancer
It’s not all doom and gloom
If the worst case scenario were to happen and you found yourself faced with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, here are some ovarian cancer survival statistics from Cancer Research UK:
- At stage 1, almost 95 out of 100 women (almost 95%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed
- At stage 2, almost 70 out of 100 women (almost 70%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after being diagnosed
- At stage 3, more than 25 out of 100 women (more than 25%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed
- At stage 4, almost 15 out of 100 women (almost 15%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed
Knowing the signs and what to look out for, could mean that you get diagnosed at an earlier stage, which will likely mean you’ll have a much better chance at getting through your fight with ovarian cancer.
Can you reduce your risk of ovarian cancer?
According to Ovarian Cancer Action, the following may reduce your risk of ovarian cancer:
- The pill: Recent research says that if you’re a regular user of the combined oral contraceptive pill, it can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer for up to 30 years
- Giving birth and breastfeeding: Both of these things help to reduce the number of ovulations a woman has during her menstrual cycle and can therefore help reduce risk of ovarian cancer
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: There’s no surprises with this one! But keeping a healthy body weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise, along with not smoking can help reduce your risk of ovarian cancer
* Free benefits are not contractual and may be removed at any time
