Symptoms

Ovarian cancer may cause several signs and symptoms. Women are more likely to have symptoms if the disease has spread beyond the ovaries, but even early-stage ovarian cancer can include:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
• Feeling the need to urinate frequently or urgently

These symptoms are also commonly caused by benign (non-cancerous) diseases and by cancers of other organs. When they are caused by ovarian cancer, they tend to be persistent and represent a “change from normal” – for example, they occur more often or are more severe. If symptoms occur more than 12 times in a month, you should consult with your doctor, preferably a gynecologist. 

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

• Fatigue
• Upset Stomach
• Back pain
• Pain during sex
• Constipation
• Menstrual changes
• Abdominal swelling with weight loss

Risk Factors

• Personal or family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer
• All women are at risk however, two-thirds of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are age 55 or older
• Infertility 
• Have had no children
• Are unable to have children
• Had their first child after the age of 30