Ovarian cancer is often referred to as a “silent” disease because its early symptoms can be subtle and easily mistaken for something else. This can lead to delayed diagnosis, which may affect treatment outcomes.
Some of the most common early signs include persistent pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, digestive issues (like nausea or loss of appetite), frequent urination, and unexplained fatigue. Because these symptoms can resemble more benign conditions, it’s important to pay attention to their duration and intensity.
Early detection significantly improves the chances of effective treatment.
👉 Have you noticed any unusual or ongoing pelvic pain?
👉 How long have you been experiencing bloating or abdominal discomfort?
👉 Have you talked to a healthcare professional about it?
Like many people I ignored any symptoms until I begin to get pain. It was diagnosed as IBS and I took buscopan. It didn't work. Then the pain got worse spreading from my side to my stomach and I got a feeling of exhaustion. Having had cancer twice before, I knew that feeling. By the time I got to the GP I could barely cross the road to the surgery without resting on a bench outside the local church. After five minutes I managed to get to the doctor. I was doubled up in pain. He gave me a blood test and prescribed morphine. From the surgery I telephoned a taxi and somehow got home. Later that day my doctor phoned me and said the CA125 test was positive. My husband was told to bring me in to hospital the next day. I thought I was going to die. This was my third cancer and I had a cancer gene. The cancer was back. It turned out I was stage 4 ovarian cancer. If this was linked to my previous breast cancer they would take a look, sew me back up and give palliative care. If not they would operate then give me chemo. I was kept on high doses of morphine so I was asleep most of the time. Next day, operation and it was found not to me linked. It was however stage 4 but they would operate and give me chemo. That was nearly 7 years ago. I'm still here, on borrowed time but here. Thank you National Health Service 💓. Please Please never ignore pain or diagnose yourself.
Ovarian cancer: Can early symptoms help us act faster?https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ovarian-cancer/living-with-ovarian-cancer/ovarian-cancer-can-early-symptoms-help-us-act-faster-57272025-07-07 12:40:38
Somya.P
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Somya.P
Community manager
Last activity on 22/07/2025 at 17:37
Joined in 2023
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Hello everyone,
Ovarian cancer is often referred to as a “silent” disease because its early symptoms can be subtle and easily mistaken for something else. This can lead to delayed diagnosis, which may affect treatment outcomes.
Some of the most common early signs include persistent pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, digestive issues (like nausea or loss of appetite), frequent urination, and unexplained fatigue. Because these symptoms can resemble more benign conditions, it’s important to pay attention to their duration and intensity.
Early detection significantly improves the chances of effective treatment.
👉 Have you noticed any unusual or ongoing pelvic pain?
👉 How long have you been experiencing bloating or abdominal discomfort?
👉 Have you talked to a healthcare professional about it?
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Looking forward to hearing from you!
Somya from the Carenity team 🌼