What to do if you're experiencing symptoms
If you are experiencing any of the four possible symptoms of ovarian cancer (persistent bloating, persistent stomach pain, difficulty eating and needing to wee more urgently or frequently) then you should make an appointment with your GP.
Symptoms diary
Keep a record of your symptoms to take with you to your appointment, this will help to support you with your conversations with your GP and any other Healthcare professional you may be referred to. Use our downloadable symptoms diary to help you keep track.
At the GP surgery
At your appointment the GP should take a history of your symptoms, their severity and frequency. It would also be useful to:
- Tell them about any family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
- Discuss your heritage: people from Ashkenazi Jewish, Polish, Icelandic, and Pakistani backgrounds are more likely to carry a genetic fault which increases ovarian cancer risk.
- Prepare a list of questions.
- Bring a friend or family member for support.
What to do if you feel you're not being listened to
Being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome
Ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to the overlapping symptoms between the two conditions. This misdiagnosis can delay the correct diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.
If after visiting your GP, you are told you have IBS there are some things to consider before accepting that this is the case.
If you are over the age of 50 and have never experienced IBS before then it is unlikely that you will start to develop it now. Generally, IBS develops in people during their 20s and 30s.
To establish with confidence that your symptoms are being caused by IBS, guidelines say that your GP should rule out other health issues first by referring you for the following tests:
- a full blood count
- testing for coeliac disease
- c-reactive protein
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate
If you feel you’re not being taken seriously
GPs see the common symptoms of ovarian cancer multiple times a day, and most of the time there will be a more common cause. However, if you feel your symptoms persist and get worse, and the things that your GP is suggesting are not effective you can consider the following options:
- Ensure your symptoms diary is filled in as comprehensively as possible so you are giving your GP as much information as you can.
- Take someone with you to your appointment for moral support, and to help reinforce the impact and severity of your symptoms.
- You are entitled to a second opinion. Consider asking if another GP can be bought into the consultation.
- If you usually see the same GP, try and see a different one at your next appointment and explain everything from the start to them.
- If you are still having problems, visit your local walk-in centre.
How to talk to your GP about ovarian cancer
We’ve partnered with retired GP Dr Hilary Morrison and put together some practical advice to help you talk to your doctor about worrying symptoms and help them find out what’s going on quickly.
How to test for ovarian cancer
Discover the various tests used to diagnose ovarian cancer, including imaging, blood tests, and biopsies. Learn about the importance of early detection and how to prepare for your medical appointments.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Take a look at the four main ovarian cancer symptoms in more detail.
