When ovarian cancer first develops, it might not cause any noticeable symptoms. When ovarian cancer symptoms happen,they may include:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Quickly feeling full when eating
• Weight loss
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• A frequent need to urinate

These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions but it’s still important to get them checked by a GP. This is because if they’re caused by cancer, finding it early can mean it’s more treatable.

Having ovarian cancer and the resulting treatment will probably affect your fertility. Ovarian cancer treatment can mean you won’t be able to become pregnant naturally but you may still have other options like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). 

If the cancer is caught early, with only one ovary involved, or if you have a germ cell tumour of the ovary, it might be possible to keep your womb and the remaining ovary and so still be fertile.

It is very important for you to talk about your fertility needs before your treatment starts. Your clinical team may be able to plan treatment that could preserve your fertility and give you some choices for the future.

Yes, ovarian cancer can be survived however, survival rates cannot predict individual outcomes as they vary depending on several factors. For instance, early-stage ovarian cancer generally has a better chance of being treated successfully compared to more advanced stages. Other factors that affect survival include:

• Surgical Outcomes: Your likely survival is affected by whether the surgeon can remove all the tumour during initial surgery.
• Cancer Characteristics: This means how big it is and whether it has spread. The type and grade of ovarian cancer also affects your likely survival.
• Patient Factors: Your general health and fitness may also affect survival.

Yes, ovarian cancer is treatable, and the approach to treatment often depends on the stage and type of cancer. The primary treatments are surgery and chemotherapy. Other treatment options include:

• Targeted therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Radiotherapy

The time it takes ovarian cancer to develop varies depending on the type of cancer. Some types progress from early to advanced stages within a year. Others develop more slowly. Malignant epithelial carcinoma, which is the most common type of ovarian cancer, can spread within a matter of weeks to months.

Abdominal pain is one of the top five symptoms of ovarian cancer. However, it is also a common symptom and can be linked to many other conditions. So many people ask what ovarian cancer pain feels like. 

Some patients describe it as a constant pain or a dull ache in their lower abdomen. But many also report discomfort or bloating in their upper abdomen, even though the ovaries are situated much lower in the pelvis. The pain or discomfort could be felt all over your abdomen or pelvic area, or only on one side. It can also feel like heartburn or indigestion, or general tenderness. Pain can also be felt in the lower back.

The potential for curing ovarian cancer largely depends on its stage at diagnosis and the effectiveness of the treatment. Here’s a general overview of how stage impacts the possibility of cure:

Stage I ovarian cancer has the highest likelihood of being curable. If detected early and treated promptly, patients have a good chance of achieving remission.

Stage II ovarian cancer can still be treated effectively, the chances of a cure are lower than in Stage I but still relatively good

Doctors can treat stage 3 ovarian cancer. However, it is more difficult to treat than stages 1 and 2.

Stage 4 cancer can be very hard to cure. However, treatment is still possible. The goals of treatment for people with stage 4 ovarian cancer are to help people feel better and live longer.

Common chemotherapy side effects include:

• feeling sick
• loss of appetite
• losing weight
• feeling very tired
• increased risk of getting an infection
• bleeding and bruising easily
• diarrhoea or constipation
• hair loss

Side effects depend on:

• which drugs you have
• how much of each drug you have
• how you react

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent ovarian cancer, there are several strategies that may help reduce the risk. Here are some:

• Eating well
• Staying active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Pregnancy
• Oral birth control
• Quit smoking