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• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Controlling the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer >> Controlling the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer

Controlling the symptoms of advanced ovarian cancer

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• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 5-6 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV28 >> Had a barium enema and blood tests before having an ultrasound scan that showed masses on her ovaries.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following indigestion and bloating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries (previously hysterectomised) then chemotherapy. Further surgery to repair a hernia followed by more chemotherapy for recurrences.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV42 >> Did not attribute her symptoms to anything serious or gynaecological.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2003 following abdominal pain (diagnosed as gall stones) and bloating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV14 >> Went into hospital with a suspected ovarian cyst and describes the tests she had.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following abdominal ache. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Interview OV49 >> A Doctor explains that symptoms usually occur when ovarian cancer is already advanced and that the symptoms may be caused by other things.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV23 >> Attributed her symptoms to mid-life changes.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following abdominal swelling. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy, complicated by kidney problems.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 7-14 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV24 >> Attributed her symptoms to stress.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1989 after finding a large abdominal lump. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 5-6 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV02 >> Attributed her symptoms to irritable bowel syndrome.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following abdominal bloating, altered bowel habits, weight loss and vaginal bleeding. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 5-6 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV19 >> Attributed her symptoms to bowel cancer.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following diarrhoea, pain, weight loss and vaginal discharge. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV43 >> Experienced prolonged treatment of symptoms before referral.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following constipation, frequent urination, tiredness, diarrhoea, bloating, umbilical hernia, and breathing difficulties. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries as remaining tumour was inoperable, then chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Interview OV49 >> A Doctor explains that it's difficult for GPs to recognise which women with symptoms have ovarian cancer and that diagnostic delays are inevitable.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 7-14 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV36 >> While waiting for blood test results had to go into hospital as an emergency with a blocked bowel.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following abdominal pain, tiredness and bloating. Treated with bowel surgery then surgical removal of ovaries and womb, and chemotherapy. Recurrences treated with chemotherapy, accompanied by further bowel surgery.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 2-5 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV05 >> Had a scan done privately because of a 6-8 week wait for an NHS scan.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2000 after finding a lump in her abdomen, accompanied by vague abdominal symptoms. Treated by surgical removal of both ovaries followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 5-6 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV09 >> Did not expect her diagnosis, which she was told after a scan.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 after finding a lump in her abdomen. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV33 >> Had a bowel blockage cleared using an enema.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2003 following shoulder pain, abdominal bloating, cough, and pain on eating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV23 >> Had a tube inserted to drain urine from an obstructed kidney to a bag strapped to her leg.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following abdominal swelling. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy, complicated by kidney problems.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV43 >> Describes a trial where a rise in women's CA125 prompts randomisation to further treatment or to wait until symptoms occur.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following constipation, frequent urination, tiredness, diarrhoea, bloating, umbilical hernia, and breathing difficulties. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries as remaining tumour was inoperable, then chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 5-6 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV39 >> Refused to take part in a follow-up trial in which she would not know if her CA125 level rose.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following abdominal pain, frequent urination, vaginal bleeding, fainting fit, and rash. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 7-14 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV36 >> Was disconcerted to be told to 'be her own physician' and look for signs of the cancer returning.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following abdominal pain, tiredness and bloating. Treated with bowel surgery then surgical removal of ovaries and womb, and chemotherapy. Recurrences treated with chemotherapy, accompanied by further bowel surgery.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 7-14 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV36 >> She recognised the symptoms that indicated her cancer had returned.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following abdominal pain, tiredness and bloating. Treated with bowel surgery then surgical removal of ovaries and womb, and chemotherapy. Recurrences treated with chemotherapy, accompanied by further bowel surgery.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV43 >> Had her ascitic fluid drained to relieve her discomfort while still having diagnostic tests.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following constipation, frequent urination, tiredness, diarrhoea, bloating, umbilical hernia, and breathing difficulties. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries as remaining tumour was inoperable, then chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 7-14 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV01 >> Had several bowel blockages and eventually had an operation to remove the affected piece of bowel.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1992 following abdominal pain. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb, and chemotherapy. Recurrences treated with further chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Bowel surgery needed to treat blockages.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 7-14 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV01 >> Had regular blood transfusions for her anaemia.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1992 following abdominal pain. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb, and chemotherapy. Recurrences treated with further chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Bowel surgery needed to treat blockages.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 2-5 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV25 >> Describes the treatment she had for pleural effusions that made her breathless.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2000 following breathlessness and abdominal bloating. Treated with chemotherapy then surgical removal of ovaries and womb and more chemotherapy. Subsequent lumps in armpit, leg and groin treated with further chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 2-5 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV45 >> Describes the second treatment she had for pleural effusions, and fluid round the heart, which caused a heart arrest.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2001 following indigestion, abdominal pain and bloating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb, and chemotherapy. Recurrences treated with chemotherapy. Surgery to lungs and heart to prevent fluid build-up.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 5-6 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV17 >> She had recently been put on morphine to control her pain.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1998 following breathing and bladder problems, weight gain and bloating, and changed bowel habits. Treated by surgical removal of both ovaries and abdominal fluid, chemotherapy, then hysterectomy and further chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Less than 2 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV12 >> Was angry that her ovarian cancer symptoms had not been recognised sooner.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2002 following abdominal swelling and frequent urination. Treated with three cycles of chemotherapy followed by debulking surgery and six further cycles of chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 2-5 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV05 >> Anger that women weren't better informed about ovarian cancer symptoms made her try to raise awareness.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2000 after finding a lump in her abdomen, accompanied by vague abdominal symptoms. Treated by surgical removal of both ovaries followed by chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> 5-6 years since diagnosis >> Interview OV28 >> Says women should take vague digestive symptoms to their doctor at an early stage and ask for tests.

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 1997 following indigestion and bloating. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries (previously hysterectomised) then chemotherapy. Further surgery to repair a hernia followed by more chemotherapy for recurrences.

• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Symptoms >> Symptoms

Symptoms

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• Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer >> Ovarian Cancer

Publication date: December 2004    Last updated: February 2012.

Review date: January 2014

 

Ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary) is one of the most common cancers in women. We interviewed 48 women about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.