Empowering women to know the signs and get checked for ovarian cancer

As part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (March 2025), a senior doctor is urging women in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to be understand the signs of ovarian cancer.

With approximately 7,500 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the UK, early detection is crucial.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include frequently (roughly 12 or more days in a month) having:

• a swollen tummy or feeling bloated;
• pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between the hips (pelvis);
• no appetite or feeling full quickly after eating;
• an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often.

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

• indigestion;
• constipation or diarrhoea;
• back pain;
• feeling tired all the time;
• losing weight without trying;
• bleeding from the vagina after the menopause.

If you have any of these symptoms, see your GP.  A blood test and scan usually come first, but you may need additional tests.  An ultrasound can detect changes in your ovaries.  This may involve a scan with a finger-sized device inserted into your vagina, or an abdominal scan over your tummy area.

Dr Sanhita Chakrabarti, deputy medical director at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, emphasises the importance of knowing the symptoms:

“It’s important to be able to recognise the signs of ovarian cancer.  If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to consult your GP and request a blood test as soon as possible.  Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and save lives.  Your health is paramount: don’t hesitate to get checked!”

For more information and resources, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms.