What should you know about ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer can cause persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal discomfort, feeling full quickly, urinary changes, or changes in bowel habits, although these symptoms can have many non-cancer causes. A pelvic ultrasound may help examine the ovaries and nearby structures, but imaging alone cannot always identify the exact tumour type.

A tissue diagnosis helps establish the cancer type and grade. The care team may also discuss genomic tumour profiling to look for features that could influence treatment, and BRCA genetic testing to assess inherited risk and implications for relatives. These are different questions and may require separate conversations.

Your gynaecological oncology team may discuss surgery, chemotherapy, or both. Oophorectomy removes one or both ovaries; debulking surgery aims to remove as much visible tumour as is safely possible when that approach is appropriate. The order and combination depend on the tumour’s location, extent, pathology, and your health.

Bring a medication list and a record of symptoms to appointments. Ask whether fertility, menopause symptoms, genetic counselling, nutrition, and emotional support should be addressed before treatment begins. Palliative care can help with pain, nausea, fatigue, sleep, and decision support at any stage, alongside cancer-directed treatment.

Arrange timely medical assessment for persistent or worsening abdominal swelling, pelvic pain, unexplained weight change, unusual bleeding, or ongoing changes in bowel or bladder habits. Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fainting, heavy bleeding, inability to pass urine, or marked breathlessness.

What type and grade of ovarian cancer is present? Has it spread, and what tests establish that? Would genomic tumour profiling or BRCA genetic testing be useful? Is surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination recommended first? What symptoms should the team know about between visits? Which supportive services can I use now?