An NHS gynaecology expert has issued a crucial public health warning, highlighting the four easily overlooked symptoms that could be early indicators of ovarian cancer. Dubbed the 'silent killer' due to its subtle onset, this disease is often diagnosed at a late stage, making awareness of its signs more critical than ever.
Dr Susanna Unsworth, an NHS menopause and women's health consultant, is on a mission to change the narrative. She stresses that while these symptoms are common and often benign, their persistence and frequency are the key red flags that warrant an immediate conversation with a GP.
The Critical Quartet: Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
According to Dr Unsworth, women should be hyper-vigilant about the following changes in their body:
- Persistent Bloating: Not the occasional bloat that comes and goes with your cycle, but a bloated feeling that occurs frequently, often for more than three weeks.
- Feeling Full Quickly: A noticeable loss of appetite or feeling full much sooner than usual when eating.
- Tummy or Pelvic Pain: Any ongoing discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region.
- Urgent or Frequent Urination: Needing to urinate more often or with sudden urgency, without a urinary infection.
'The most important thing is if they are not normal for you, and if they are persistent and not going away,' Dr Unsworth emphasises. 'If you are experiencing them on most days for three weeks or more, it is worth discussing with your doctor.'
Why Awareness Is a Matter of Life and Death
The urgency behind this message is stark. Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women in the UK, with over 7,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Tragically, nearly two-thirds of cases are detected at a late stage (stage III or IV), significantly impacting survival rates.
Early detection is paramount. When diagnosed at the earliest stage (stage I), around 90% of women will survive their cancer for five years or more. This figure drops dramatically to just 15% for those diagnosed at the latest stage (stage IV).
Trusting Your Body: The Power of Patient Advocacy
A significant barrier to early diagnosis is that the symptoms are frequently mistaken for less serious conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or the natural process of ageing. Dr Unsworth encourages women to be persistent advocates for their own health.
'It is always worth being checked,' she advises. 'It might be nothing to worry about, but if it is something, getting it diagnosed early can make a huge difference to treatment options.' The message is clear: know what's normal for you, trust your instincts, and never feel hesitant to seek medical advice for ongoing concerns.
