Be informed.

Download an excellent leaflet about symptoms here.

We are badly informed about the symptoms ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumours.  The symptoms are very general and non-specific and often leads to misdiagnosis.  This is why ovarian cancer tends to have such a poor prognosis: early diagnosis has a very good prognosis but sadly most women are diagnosed at advanced stages of disease.  

Speak to your GP if you are worried.  

A very helpful patient guide for discussing concerns about ovarian cancer with your GP can be found here.

Testing for ovarian cancer/borderline ovarian tumours involves a blood test (CA125) and transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasounds.  

Remember, the blood test alone is a poor indicator; this is why it is not offered alone or as a generic screening test for ovarian cancer.  It is essential that a ultrasounds are also undertaken.  

From targetovariancancer.org.uk:

Other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have symptoms similar to ovarian cancer but if your symptoms don’t clear up, go back to your GP or seek a second opinion, even if you’ve had tests. Take this information, or our symptoms leaflet, with you to help you explain. If you’d like to order symptoms leaflets by post, please visit our materials order form.