What should you know about ovarian cancer symptoms?

Common presentations include ongoing bloating or increased abdominal size, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, reduced appetite, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, or needing to pass urine more often or urgently. Some people also notice tiredness, back pain, or unexplained weight change. Symptoms may be subtle and can overlap with digestive, urinary, hormonal, or other gynaecological conditions.

A symptom does not establish the cause. The pattern matters: tell a clinician if a change is new for you, happens frequently, or does not settle. Ovarian cancer is assessed through your history and examination, with tests chosen for your situation. A pelvic ultrasound may help examine the ovaries and nearby structures.

Keep a short symptom diary showing when symptoms occur, what makes them better or worse, changes in bowel or bladder habits, menstrual or menopausal context, and any medicines. Arrange a clinical assessment if symptoms persist or interfere with eating, sleep, movement, or daily life. Bring your family history, including ovarian or breast cancer, because it may affect the discussion.

The clinician may arrange an examination, imaging, blood tests, or referral. BRCA genetic testing may be discussed when personal or family history suggests inherited risk. Genomic tumour profiling is a different test, performed on tumour material to help guide treatment after a diagnosis.

Seek urgent medical help for sudden severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fainting, a hard or rapidly enlarging abdomen, inability to pass urine or stool, heavy vaginal bleeding, or severe breathlessness. For symptoms that are persistent but not emergency symptoms, book an appointment rather than waiting for them to disappear.

How long have these symptoms been present, and what patterns should I track? Which examination or test is appropriate first? Could another condition explain them? Does my family history suggest BRCA testing or genetic counselling? When should I return if symptoms continue or change?