Ovarian Cancer
What Is It?
Epithelial ovarian cancer makes up almost 90% of cases of ovarian cancer. Epithelial means surface layer. So this type of cancer is a cancer of the surface layer covering the ovary.Nearly 7,000 cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year. This makes it the 4th most common cancer in women, after breast, bowel and lung.
As with most cancers, the risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age. Most cases are in women who are past their menopause. Apart from getting older, your risk of ovarian cancer may be increased by:
A family history of cancer, or having breast cancer yourself
Being infertile or having fertility treatment
The age when your periods started and stopped
Using HRT
Being obese or overweight
Having a non cancerous condition called endometriosis
Using talcum powder
Symptoms
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be very vague, particularly when the disease is in its early stages:Pain in the lower abdomen or side
Bloated, full feeling in the abdomen
Later stage disease can cause symptoms from the tumour growing in the pelvis. This can cause :
Irregular periods
Lower abdominal pain
Back pain
Passing urine more often than usual
Constipation
Pain during sex
Swollen abdomen
Advanced ovarian cancer can cause even more symptoms if the cancer has spread into the abdomen or elsewhere in the body:
Loss of appetite
Feeling or being sick
Constipation
Tiredness
Shortness of breath
Noticeable swelling of the abdomen