Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Symptoms of Cancer of the ovary
Ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can be vague and subtle and may be mistaken for those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pre-menstrual syndrome. However, if the cancer is recognised early while still confined to the ovary, the chances of successful treatment are good.
Early symptoms may include:
- pain in the lower abdomen or side, and
- a full bloated feeling in the abdomen.
Later symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- a persistently swollen abdomen,
- pain in the lower abdomen or back,
- digestive problems, like indigestion, bloating, constipation, feeling or being sick and lack of appetite,
- passing urine more often than usual,
- abnormal bleeding from the vagina (this is uncommon, but should always be reported to your GP),
- weight loss,
- increasing tiredness,
- shortness of breath, and
- pain during sex.









