Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Are Easy To Miss—but a Doctor Says They’re Often There From the Start
'It's only a silent killer if we aren't listening,' says Mitchell Clark, MD
Matlock star Kathy Bates has blunt advice for women: Get regular checkups and listen to your body. It’s part of a conversation Bates had with People about her experience with cancer, starting with subtle ovarian cancer symptoms and a subsequent diagnosis in 2003. “My agent at the time was very old-school and didn’t want me to be the poster child for ovarian cancer,” she told the outlet. “I didn’t want anyone to know, but it really took a lot out of me.”
Ovarian cancer is known as a “silent killer” because it’s typically not treated until advanced stages. Oftentimes we can miss or write off early signs and symptoms, which can usually be chalked up to other causes. “It’s only a silent killer if we aren’t listening,” says Mitchell Clark, MD, a gynecologic oncologist for Yale Cancer Center.
We break down what women—especially those over 50—need to know about ovarian cancer, the key symptoms to watch for and what to do if you notice early warning signs.
Woman's World Answers
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer originates in the ovaries or other parts of the fallopian tubes and peritoneum (the membrane inside your abdomen and pelvis. Risk factors include:
- Being middle-aged or older
- Genetic mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Endometriosis
- Having never given birth
- A family history of ovarian cancer
There are three main types of ovarian cancer. The most common is epithelial ovarian cancer, which accounts for up to 90 percent of cases and originates in the cells covering the ovaries. Germ cell tumors are when cancer cells are in a woman’s eggs, while stromal cell tumors, the most rare type, are found in the tissues supporting the ovaries.
This year, about 20,890 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Though symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague, it’s one of the top causes of cancer deaths among women, with a woman’s risk of developing it about 1 in 91.
Ovarian cancer symptoms women need to know
Ovarian cancer symptoms are vague and often dismissed as non-gynecological concerns like irritable bowel syndrome, menopause, dietary reactions or UTIs. The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
- Bloating
- Belly pain
- Trouble eating
- Feeling full quickly
- A need to urinate frequently
“Ninety percent of women with ovarian cancer have symptoms,” says Dr. Clark. “Forty percent have abdominal pain including fullness and bloating, twenty percent have change in bowel function and 15 percent have loss of appetite. Others experience urinary irritation or vaginal bleeding in some cases.”
Less common symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Changes in your period
- Pain during sex
- Stomach swelling with weight loss
There are often early warning signs
It’s important to speak to a doctor if you notice new or worsening symptoms—and to make sure they take your concerns seriously and that you’re seeing the right specialist.
“Historically, people have called this a silent killer because symptoms are only present with advanced disease,” notes Dr. Clark. “But many studies show even early-stage cancers can have these symptoms, but [they] are dismissed or referred to non-gynecological providers.”
What to do if you have symptoms of ovarian cancer
If you have symptoms that feel unusual in any way, start by seeing your primary care doctor or an ob-gyn. “Don’t ignore your knowledge of your own body—seek an appointment,” urges Dr. Clark. “If you are dismissed, advocate for yourself and ask for imaging or a second opinion,” especially if you have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound or CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. “If your primary care provider immediately jumps to sending you to a gastroenterologist or urologist, ask if they’ve considered ovarian cancer as a cause of your symptoms and if meeting with a gynecologist is a good idea,” says Dr. Clark.
How ovarian cancer is treated
Unfortunately, most ovarian cancer is treated at advanced stages, which is why early diagnosis is critical to improving outcomes. Almost all ovarian cancer is treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. “The order of that combination will depend on many factors once you meet with a gynecologic oncologist, a type of subspecialist with expertise in treating these cancers,” adds Dr. Clark.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent ovarian cancer, though birth control pills and, in some cases, preventive surgery may lower the risk for those most vulnerable. However, by staying mindful of changes in your body and seeking prompt evaluation, you can treat it at an earlier stage to improve the outcome.
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