Cancer of the ovary is one of the cancers which can occur in the female reproductive system. As well as the ovaries these include cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrium), cancer of the cervix (the entrance to the womb) and cancer of the vulva (the area around the opening of the vagina). Cancers of the female reproductive system are also called gynaecological cancers.

Ovarian cancer makes up about 1 in every 25 cancers affecting women. In the UK about 6,700 women will develop the condition each year. Overall about 1 in 55 women will develop an ovarian cancer sometime during their life. The risk of getting ovarian cancer increases with age. Only about 5 out of every 100 women with ovarian cancer gets it before the age of 40.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer can often be quite vague. Symptoms can include discomfort or pain in the pelvis (the lower part of the abdomen), backache, a loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea and a bloated feeling or swelling of the abdomen. Some women also notice abnormal vaginal bleeding, although this is rare, and a change to their bowel or bladder habits.

All these symptoms can have many other causes apart from cancer but the important thing is that if you have any of these problems then you should see your GP. They can examine you and if they think it is necessary they can arrange further tests. Usually this involves a blood test for a chemical, or tumour marker known as CA125 and an ultrasound scan of the lower part of your abdomen.

The Department of Health has given guidelines to family doctors (GPs) suggesting they should arrange an urgent appointment (within two weeks) with a specialist in ovarian diseases (a gynaecologist) for any woman who comes with one or other of the following problems:

• a lump in the pelvis (unless your GP is sure that it is a lump called a fibroid in the womb, fibroids are not cancer and do not need an urgent referral)
• an ultrasound scan that shows a suspicious lump in the pelvis.
  The guidelines also recommend that GPs should do an internal examination to check for lumps if you are over 45 and have persistent pain or swelling of the abdomen.

Of course these problems can have other causes apart from cancer and your GP should discuss these with you.