Ovarian Cancer: Listen to Your Body

Knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer could save your life. Ovarian cancer treatment is most effective when the disease is found early.

Symptoms

It's important for you to listen to your body, and know what is normal for you.

Ovarian cancer may cause one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you
  • Pain or pressure in the abdominal or pelvic area
  • Back pain
  • Bloating
  • Feeling full quickly while eating
  • Frequent urination

These symptoms may be caused by something other than ovarian cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor. If you have any of these unexplained symptoms for more than two weeks it is important to see your doctor, nurse or other health care professional.

Who is at risk?

All women are at risk, but older women are more likely to get the disease than younger women. About 90 percent of women who get ovarian cancer are older than 40, with the greater number of occurrences in women 60 years or older.

There are some factors that can increase your risk for ovarian cancer. If you have one or more of these factors, it does not mean you will get ovarian cancer. But you should talk with your doctor about your risk. Ovarian cancer occurs more frequently if you:

  • Are middle-aged or older
  • Had breast, uterine, or colorectal cancer
  • Have a genetic mutation (abnormality) called BRCA1 or BRCA2
  • Have a history of ovarian cancer in your immediate family
  • Are of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish descent
  • Have never given birth or had trouble getting pregnant
  • Have endometriosis

Are there tests?

There are no simple and reliable tests for ovarian cancer in women who do not have any signs or symptoms.

  • If you notice any changes in your body that are not normal for you and could be a sign of ovarian cancer, talk to your doctor and ask about causes, such as ovarian cancer.
  • Ask your doctor if you should have a test such as a thorough pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasonography, or a blood test for the tumor marker CA-125.

Keep in mind that the Pap test does not screen for ovarian cancer. The only cancer the Pap test screens for is cervical cancer.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent ovarian cancer. Your chance of getting ovarian cancer is reduced if you:

  • Used birth control pills for more than five years.
  • Had a tubal ligation, ovaries removed, or hysterectomy.
  • Have given birth.

If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist. They have been specially trained to treat all gynecologic cancers including ovarian cancer and will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

For additional information, please visit SHARE or call toll-free 1-866-53-SHARE.

Information provided in part from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To learn more about ovarian cancer and other gynecologic cancers, please visit Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer or visit NYS DOH ovarian cancer.

This website was supported by Cooperative Agreement 5U58DP000783-05 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.