Ovarian cancer is often a silent disease in the early stages, which means many women have no symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they are usually vague and may include:

• swelling, pressure, discomfort or pain in the abdomen
• heartburn, nausea or bloating
• changes in toilet habits, such as constipation, diarrhoea and frequent urination due to pressure
• tiredness and appetite loss
• unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• changes in your menstrual pattern or postmenopausal bleeding
• pain during sex.

These symptoms are common to many illnesses, and most women with these symptoms will not have ovarian cancer. Only tests can confirm the diagnosis.