How to talk to your GP about ovarian cancer symptoms

How to talk to your GP if you're experiencing ovarian cancer symptoms.

GPs play a crucial role in diagnosing ovarian cancer, but we know that sometimes women feel like their symptoms are not being taken seriously.

So how do you make yourself heard? We've spoken to the experts and put together some practical advice to help you talk to your GP about worrying symptoms to help them find out what’s going on quickly. 

Know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer has four main symptoms:

• Persistent bloating (it doesn’t come and go)
• Difficulty eating or feeling full more quickly
• Needing to pee more frequently or urgently
• Pain around your tummy to the top of your thighs

Other symptoms include back pain, feeling very tired for no reason, unexplained weight loss, changes in your bowel habits and abnormal (or post-menopausal) bleeding. Symptoms can also vary from person to person.

These can also be symptoms of less serious and more common conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). So if you’re experiencing them it doesn’t necessarily mean you have ovarian cancer. However, these symptoms are more likely to be a sign of ovarian cancer if they are persistent (they continue over time), severe, frequent (around 12 times in a month), and new or unusual for you. If they are, you should book an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

Ovarian cancer is more likely if you are over 50 years of age, but women of any age can be diagnosed, so we should all be aware of our bodies and any changes.

Keep track of your symptoms

It’s a good idea to keep a daily record of your symptoms using the Ovarian Cancer Action symptoms diary for at least two weeks while you are waiting for your appointment. This will help you track potential signs of ovarian cancer and describe them clearly to your GP. 

If you have already seen your GP and your symptoms are not getting better over time or with treatment, you may find this diary helpful to provide them with a clearer picture of what you are experiencing.

Take someone to the appointment with you

Even the most confident people can get nervous in a doctor’s appointment, and sometimes that means you forget the points you were going to make, or ask fewer questions than you meant to. 

A friend or family member can give you moral support and help you explain what your symptoms are like and how they are affecting you, as well ask questions you might forget. They can also help you remember what was discussed and what the next steps are.

Tell your GP you're worried about ovarian cancer

Explain to your GP that you are worried about ovarian cancer. On average, a GP will only see a new patient with ovarian cancer once every five years, so it may not be at the front of their mind when you describe your symptoms. Bringing up the possibility of ovarian cancer will help prompt the GP to consider arranging certain tests and if not, can make sure they explain to you what the next steps are and how they are ruling cancer out.

Your GP will then have a feel of your tummy, and may also do an internal (vaginal) examination. These checks are to see if there are any lumps or sore areas that can help give clues of what might be causing your symptoms. 

You can ask for a friend, family member or member of staff as chaperone if this would make you feel more comfortable.

Ask for a CA125 test

The CA125 blood test checks the level of a protein called CA125 in the blood. A high level of CA125 in your blood can be an indicator of ovarian cancer, as CA125 can sometimes be produced by ovarian cancer cells, but it can also be raised for other, less serious reasons. On its own it is not a diagnosis, but it is one of the tools your GP will use to get a picture together of what’s causing your symptoms.

Your GP should arrange a CA125 blood test and possibly an ultrasound scan if:

• You are experiencing any of the four main symptoms of ovarian cancer persistently and frequently.
• If you’re aged 50 or above and experiencing new IBS symptoms in the last 12 months, because IBS is less likely to develop in women over 50 

The CA125 test can either be carried out at your local doctor’s surgery, or you will be referred to your local hospital. In some areas, you’ll also be invited for an ultrasound scan at the same time, and in some areas the GP will wait to get the results of the CA125 test before deciding whether to refer you for this scan. 

If your tests come back normal, your GP will advise you to come back in several weeks if your symptoms are still there, or get worse/ more frequent. 

Tell your GP about your family history

A family history of certain cancers can increase your risk of ovarian cancer. Talk to your doctor about any history of cancer you have in family as it will help them assess your personal risk of cancer and put your symptoms in context.

In particular, tell you GP if you have any family history of ovarian, breast, bowel, womb, pancreatic, or prostate cancer on either your mum or your dad’s side. You can inherit a faulty gene that increases your risk of developing ovarian cancer from your mother or your father.

However, don’t put off seeing your GP if you don’t have a family history, as the majority of cases of ovarian cancer aren’t due to family risk.

Ask for a second opinion

You’re entitled to a second opinion – particularly if your symptoms have not improved or become worse, and you’re worried your GP is not taking them seriously. If you usually see the same GP and feel you are not being heard, try to see a different one at your next appointment and explain everything from the start to them.

If your symptoms persist or get worse after you have spoken to your GP, go back to see them again - even if you had a CA125 blood test or ultrasound scan that was reported as normal.

A normal CA125 blood test needs repeating after six weeks if symptoms continue - if it’s still normal despite persistent or worsening ovarian cancer symptoms then your GP should refer you for a second opinion. We know that a CA125 blood test is not good at detecting some of the rare types of ovarian cancer and so other tests may be needed.

If they do not do this then ask to see or speak to another GP in the practice and explain all your symptoms and concerns.

If this isn’t possible, or you’re having trouble getting an appointment, you can escalate the situation to the Practice Manager.