Symptoms of ovarian cancer are very non-specific. Usually, patients will complain of bloating and abdomen getting larger. The pants feel tighter, but they are not eating much. So unexplained weight gain is a sign that something is wrong.

Ovarian cancer can only be diagnosed by a tissue biopsy. Scans such as CT scan or PET-CT will give a clue that there is ovarian cancer. So is the commonly used tumour marker blood test. The only way to diagnose ovarian cancer is with a biopsy either by surgery to take out the tumour or CT guided needle biopsy.

Ovarian cancer is treated mainly by surgery. Surgery would include removal of both the ovaries, uterus, cervix, lymph nodes and any other sites of disease spread. Usually this is followed by a few cycles of chemotherapy.

The risk of getting ovarian cancer can be reduced by taking oral contraceptive pills and having children. Reducing weight and stop smoking are ways to reduce the risk as well. These measures protect the ovary from forming cancer. There is no effective screening for ovarian cancer so early symptom detection is key. Present to a gynaecologist early if you feel any unexplained symptoms that are not resolving.