Ovarian cancer may have symptoms, but they are often very subtle and can be mistaken for other, more common problems. Learn more about ovarian cancer and its symptoms below.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer can be subtle or vague, such as the following:
These symptoms may also be associated with many common conditions. Persistent symptoms that are new or unusual for you warrant a visit to your doctor.
Though knowing the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be useful in hastening diagnosis, studies show that identifying ovarian cancer early does not save lives. It is important for individuals to know their risk, including family history, and that there are tools that can help prevent ovarian cancer. OCRA offers free genetic testing kits for those who qualify.
Other symptoms reported by ovarian cancer patients are less specific and can be common in the general population. These include:
These symptoms alone are not reliable indicators of ovarian cancer but should be discussed with a doctor if persistent and unusual for you.
For comprehensive information on ovarian cancer diagnosis, risk, and prevention, explore the resources below.
Learn about the factors that contribute to ovarian cancer risk and explore prevention strategies to reduce your risk.
This article was updated in October 2025 to reflect NCCN’s release of the 2025 Guidelines for Uterine Cancer Patients. OCRA is a proud sponsor of the 2025 Patient Guidelines for Cervical, Ovarian, and Uterine Cancer. We believe ensuring access to clear, understandable information is critical. NCCN provides wonderful guides for anyone newly diagnosed to help … Continued
In a recent article for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jeff Guttenfelder spoke with journalist Ciara McCarthy about losing his late wife, Ni, to ovarian cancer, and how he is channeling his grief into action through participation in OCRA’s Survivors Teaching Students program. Read the article “Fort Worth man’s wife died of ovarian cancer” in the … Continued
KVIA-TV ABC-7 News El Paso recently spotlighted the groundbreaking work of OCRA-funded researcher Daniel Heller, PhD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, whose research lab is working to develop a liquid biopsy that uses nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect ovarian cancer earlier. We’re developing a liquid biopsy that uses nano sensors and AI … Continued
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