If you have ovaries you are at risk of this cancer. This is relevant to you if you have not had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes).
Ovarian cancer affects around 7,500 people a year in the UK.
Symptoms
- Increased abdominal size and persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
- Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
- Needing to wee (urinate) more or more urgently
- Loss of appetite and feeling full quickly, or feeling nauseous
Other symptoms are less common but can be changes in bowel habits, back pain, losing weight unexpectedly, feeling tired, and vaginal bleeding that is different or new.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important that you see your GP. It is more likely to be caused by something less serious than cancer, but it is always worth getting them checked, just in case. The earlier ovarian cancer is caught, the more treatment options there are available and the best possible chance someone will have of successful treatment, so knowing what to look out for and getting any concerning symptoms checked as soon as possible is really important.
Ovarian cancer is commonly misdiagnosed. If you’ve seen your GP about any of these symptoms but they are persisting, get a follow up appointment.
Risk factors
We don’t always know what causes ovarian cancer, but there are some factors known to increase the risk:
Family history
If you have two or more close blood relatives who developed ovarian cancer or breast cancer, your risk of also developing the condition may be increased.
If your relatives developed cancer before the age of 50, it’s more likely it was the result of an inherited gene alteration. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that when altered are linked to ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.
You may be at a high risk of having a BRCA gene alteration if:
- You are of Jewish descent. People with Jewish ancestry are more likely to have a BRCA gene alteration. Currently in England anyone with one or more Jewish grandparent can be referred for genetic testing
- You have one relative diagnosed with ovarian cancer at any age and at least two close relatives with breast cancer whose average age is under 60; or at least one close relative (parent, sibling or child) with breast cancer under the age of 50. All of these relatives should be on the same side of your family (either biological parent’s side).
- Two relatives from the same side of the family diagnosed with ovarian cancer at any age.
If you’re at a higher risk of having the BRCA gene alteration, your GP can refer you for genetic testing.
Ovulation and fertility
Every time an egg is released, the surface of the ovary breaks to let it out. This process causes damage and the ovary needs to be repaired. Each time this happens, there’s a greater chance of abnormal cell growing.
This may be why the risk of ovarian cancer decreases if you take the contraceptive pill or you’ve had multiple pregnancies or periods of breastfeeding, as eggs aren’t released during this time.
Endometriosis
This condition may slightly increase your risk of ovarian cancer. In endometriosis, cells similar to ones that line the womb grow elsewhere in the body.
Other Risk Factors
There are a number of other risk factors which may increase your chance of developing ovarian cancer. These include being overweight, smoking, exposure to asbestos, being diabetic, and use of oestrogen-based hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
There is currently very little research into the effects of testosterone on ovarian cancer risk.
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Information updated: November 2024. Next review due: November 2027
More information
If you have any more questions or worries about your gynae health, including ovarian cancer, you can speak to our Ask Eve nurses for free and confidential information and advice.
