Author's details
- Hakim A Abubakre
- BA (Hons) International Business Management, MSc Digital Marketing.
Reviewer's details
- Dr Austin Okoro Chigozie
- MBBS, MWACS, MPH, FWACS.
- Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. Evercare Hospital. Lekki. Nigeria
- Date Published: 2025-03-13
- Date Updated: 2025-03-13
Ovarian Cancer
The ovaries are small organs in the feminine reproductive system that produce female hormones for maintenance of the female, reproduction and as well as release eggs during ovulation. Ovarian tumours arise from abnormal ovarian cells. It is now believed to arise from precursors in the fallopian tube. These cells now get deposited on the ovaries leading to abnormal and uncontrolled growth of these cells. This gives rise to growth of tumours on the ovary. It can affect one ovary or both, it can be malignant (cancerous) or not. The benign (non-cancerous) can be treated with surgery because they are usually restricted to the ovary and they barely cause mortality. The cancer cells can grow into surrounding or even distant organs, thereby causing complications and death.
Ovarian tumours can affect women of any age. The ovarian cancers are found more in older women above the age of 50years.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer are non-specific and could mimic other diseases. These include the following:
- Feeling bloated
- Feeling of tenderness in the belly or area between the hips.
- No appetite
- Urgent need to pee or urinate more often.
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Back pain
- Feeling tired most of the time
- Weight loss without trying
- Bleeding from vagina even after menopause.
- Typically, abdominal swelling and weight loss could be suggestive of ovarian cancer.
- Eat healthily by working with doctors to create a healthy diet plan.
- Exercise regularly to improve mood and health, gentle exercise can help with tiredness.
- Hydrate by drinking plenty of fluid and urinate every 3-4 hours. Reduce intake of drinks that contain caffeine.
- Have a good sleep hygiene all the time
- Wound care with the help of a nurse to help keep dressings dry.
- Therapies like aromatherapy, meditation or relaxation therapy can help in reducing stress and anxiety.
- Support from local cancer support services
- Preparing an advance care plan can provide instructions to your doctor or family members on what type of care is desired. If you become unable to speak or express yourself.
- Annual pelvic scan with CA-125 estimation has been suggested for women.
You should medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms;
- Persistent bloating
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Difficulty eating
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate.
- Loss of appetite.
- Menstrual changes
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Shoulder pain.
- Abdominal swelling
- Weight loss
There is no known way to prevent ovarian cancer, but these things are associated with a lower chance of getting ovarian cancer:
- Having used birth control pills that contain estrogen and progesterone for 5 or more years.
- Having had a tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied), both ovaries removed, both fallopian tubes removed, or a hysterectomy (an operation in which the uterus, and sometimes the cervix, is removed).
- Having given birth.
- Breastfeeding. Some studies suggest that women who breastfeed for a year or more may have a modestly reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
- https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer.
- https://www.google.com/search?q=ovarian+cancer&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB894GB894&oq=&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBECMYJxjqAjIJCAAQIxgnGOoCMgkIARAjGCcY6gIyCQgCECMYJxjqAjIJCAMQIxgnGOoCMgkIBBAjGCcY6gIyCQgFECMYJxjqAjIJCAYQIxgnGOoCMgkIBxAjGCcY6gLSAQkyMDQzajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms/
- https://www.google.com/search?q=Self+care+for+ovarian+cancer&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB894GB894&oq=Self+care+for+ovarian+cancer&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRiPAtIBCjI1MzM5ajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.
- https://www.google.com/search?q=When+to+seek+medical+attention+for+ovarian+cancer&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB894GB894&oq=When+to+seek+medical+attention+for+ovarian+cancer&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRiPAtIBCjU1NTY2ajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
- https://www.cdc.gov/ovarian-cancer/prevention/index.html
- https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/ovarian/risk-prevention#:~:text=Oral%20birth%20control.,after%20last%20taking%20the%20pill.
