Medically reviewed by Faith Selchick, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, AOCNP, OCN, CPHQ
Some health changes are easy to notice. Others are quiet and easy to ignore.
It may start with bloating that does not go away, feeling full after a small meal, or pain in the lower belly or pelvis.
It may also be a change in appetite, bowel habits, or energy that seems easy to blame on stress, aging, hormones, or everyday life.
Ovarian cancer is sometimes called a “silent” disease, but that is not entirely true. The problem is that symptoms are often mild at first and easy to mistake for something else.
Because these symptoms can feel like everyday problems, many women live with them rather than realizing they may need medical care.
That is one reason ovarian cancer can be hard to find early.
Why Awareness Matters
Unlike some other cancers, there is no regular screening test for ovarian cancer for women at average risk. That is why it is so important to notice changes in your body that do not go away.
The goal is not to scare people.
The goal is to help women know what is normal for their bodies and feel comfortable speaking up when something changes.
Symptoms to Pay Attention To
Signs of ovarian cancer can include:
- Bloating
- Pain in the pelvis or belly
- Trouble eating or feeling full too quickly
- Needing to urinate more often
- Feeling very tired
- Constipation, or other changes in bowel habits.
Most of these signs are more often caused by something other than cancer. But if they are new, keep happening, or do not go away, talk with a healthcare provider.
Make Space for Your Health
It is important to make room for these conversations. Women’s health concerns are often pushed aside while work, caregiving, family duties, and everyday life keep moving. Too often, symptoms are ignored for too long.
Your health should not have to wait until life slows down.
When to Speak Up
At WMCHealth, we encourage women to pay attention to their bodies, talk openly without shame, and get care sooner when something does not feel right.
Not every symptom means something serious. But symptoms that keep coming back or do not go away deserve attention.
Sometimes taking care of your health starts with listening when your body tells you something has changed.
A diagnosis marks the start of a journey, and the right team can make all the difference in how that journey unfolds. At WMCHealth, we listen to your concerns and take them seriously. To learn more about our approach to ovarian cancer care, visit our website.
References
American Cancer Society. (2025). Ovarian cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Ovarian cancer basics.
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