A doctor has issued an urgent reminder that some everyday health complaints women experience could, in certain cases, be early warning signs of ovarian cancer.
Because several of these changes can be mild or easy to explain away, they’re often ignored or put down to something less serious.
Dr Asiya Muala, speaking to Kent Live, said it’s crucial to pay attention to what she described as ‘persistent changes in the body’ as this can help improve outcomes.
She said: “Many of the symptoms of ovarian cancer overlap with common conditions like bloating or indigestion, which is why they are often dismissed.”
Dr Muala said the key point isn’t a one-off episode, but symptoms that stick around and don’t improve.
“It’s not about occasional symptoms, but those that are new, persistent and happening more frequently,” she said.
Ovarian cancer can be difficult to spot early because symptoms may feel vague and non-specific, and can resemble common issues such as IBS, indigestion, or general gastrointestinal discomfort. That overlap can mean people delay getting checked, especially when symptoms seem minor at first.
Dr Maula said appetite changes are one possible sign to take seriously, particularly if they’re unusual for you.
“If someone finds they are getting full much more quickly than usual, or struggling to finish meals, that can be a sign something isn’t quite right,” Dr Maula added.
“It’s a change that people often don’t connect to anything serious.”
She also pointed to bloating that doesn’t ease as another symptom that can be overlooked, especially since bloating is fairly common.
A PubMed study of over 88,000 Americans found that nearly 1 in 7 adults (about 14%) experience bloating on a weekly basis.
Dr Maula added: “Many women experience bloating at some point, but with ovarian cancer it tends to be persistent and not linked to specific foods.
“If it’s happening most days or doesn’t improve, it’s important to take note.”
Abdominal pain can also be widespread for many reasons. Another PubMed study suggested approximately 24% of all women in the US will experience abdominal pain at some point in their lives.
However, Dr Maula said ongoing discomfort in the pelvic region is something that shouldn’t be brushed off, as it can be confused with period pain or digestive trouble.
She added: “Any persistent discomfort in this area that doesn’t have an obvious cause should be checked. Even if the pain is mild, it’s the consistency and persistence that matters.”
Having one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean cancer, but it’s still important to seek medical advice if symptoms are new, worsening, or not going away.
“People often wait until symptoms become severe, but early changes are when we have the best chance of identifying problems,” Dr Maula said.
“If something feels different or ongoing, it’s always worth speaking to a Doctor.
“Understanding what is normal for your body and noticing when something changes can make a significant difference,” she said.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.