Ovarian cancer tends to affect women over the age of 50 but can also affect younger women. This is the fifth most common cancer within women in the UK.

Ovarian cancer can be split into three sub-groups:

• Epithelial (which has its own sub groupings)
• Germ cell tumours
• Sarcomas

Your doctor/consultants will be able to discuss your condition with you following diagnosis and advise of treatment options. Ovarian cancer is generally treated by combination surgery and chemotherapy, however treatment programmes may vary.

Things to look out for

Symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Weight gain/larger waist size.
• Pain in the lower abdominal area, fluid build up may cause swelling of the abdominal area this can cause you to feel breathless.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Pain in the lower back.
• Reduced appetite.
• Diarrhoea, constipation and or the urge to pass urine more often.
• Irregular vaginal bleeding (this is not a common symptom of ovarian cancer).

These symptoms can be related to various other medical conditions but due to the nature of cancer it is advisable you speak to your doctor/consultant if you experience some or any of these symptoms.

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