Ovarian cancer symptoms
Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer are often similar to other conditions. Find out when your GP should offer you cancer tests.
Symptoms of cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube or peritoneum
Cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube cancer or primary peritoneal cancer usually causes symptoms that are similar to common non-cancerous conditions. This can make it difficult to diagnose early.
Arrange an appointment with your GP if you have any of these symptoms or get these symptoms regularly:
- a persistent or long-lasting bloated or swollen tummy
- feeling full quickly when you eat
- loss of appetite
- pain in the lower tummy area or back (pelvic or abdominal pain)
- peeing (passing urine) more often than usual
- needing to pee urgently (feeling like you cannot hold on).
Your GP should offer you cancer tests.
Related pages
Other symptoms
Other symptoms may include:
- a change in your normal bowel function (diarrhoea or constipation)
- unexplained weight loss
- unexplained or extreme tiredness (fatigue).
If you are aged 50 or older and develop symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for the first time, you should also have tests. IBS can cause bloating and changes in bowel function. But it does not usually start after the age of 50. You should also see your GP about any vaginal bleeding after the menopause, as this can be a cancer symptom.
We understand that showing any symptoms of what could be cancer is worrying. The most important thing is to speak to your GP as soon as possible. We are also here if you need someone to talk to. You can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00.
- Chat to our specialists online.
If you are transgender (trans)
If you are a trans man and have not had surgery to remove the womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes, you are still at risk of ovarian cancer.
Talk to your GP if you are worried about ovarian cancer, have any of the symptoms or have a family history.
The LGBT Foundation can give you confidential advice and support. You can also talk to one of our cancer support specialists.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
-
References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our ovarian cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Ovarian cancer: recognition and initial management. Clinical guideline [CG122] Published: 27 April 2011 Last updated: 02 October 2023 www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg122 (accessed May 2024)
Ovarian cancer: identifying and managing familial and genetic risk. NICE guideline [NG241]. Published: 21 March 2024 www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng241 (accessed May 2024)
A. González-Martín, P. Harter, A. Leary, D. Lorusso, R. E. Miller, B. Pothuri, I. Ray-Coquard, D. S. P. Tan, E. Bellet, A. Oaknin & J. A. Ledermann, on behalf of the ESMO Guidelines Committee. Newly diagnosed and relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Published August 17, 2023. www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(23)00797-4/fulltext (accessed May 2024)
Date reviewed
Our cancer information meets the PIF TICK quality mark.
This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.
The language we use
We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.
We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:
- use plain English
- explain medical words
- use short sentences
- use illustrations to explain text
- structure the information clearly
- make sure important points are clear.
We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.
You can read more about how we produce our information here.