Ovarian cancer: The symptoms of the killer illness women shouldn't ignore

Around 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year in the UK, with two-thirds being diagnosed at a later stage, meaning the disease is harder to treat.

Ovarian cancer is often labelled a “silent killer”, because warning signs usually develop when the disease has reached an advanced stage, which is largely incurable.

In fact, 44 percent of GPs mistakenly believe symptoms only present in the later stages of the disease, explains Target Ovarian Cancer.

Dr Frankie Jackson-Spencer added: "Ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed until it reaches the late stage due to its symptoms being vague and often overlapping with common/less serious conditions.".

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If diagnosed at the earliest stage, nine in 10 women will survive - making symptom awareness front and centre. According to the NHS, feeling bloated and experiencing a swollen tummy are common warning signs of ovarian cancer. But there are a number of other red flags that could signal the devastating disease too.

There are nine known symptoms of ovarian cancer that might strike, including a “loss of appetite” and/or “abdominal pain”, warns Dr Jackson-Spencer.

Meanwhile, other people may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, unexplained tiredness and a frequent urge to urinate, reports the Mirror.

Ovarian cancer symptoms could include:

Bloating

Feeling full quickly

Loss of appetite

Abdominal pain

Frequent need to urinate

Abnormal vaginal bleeding

Unexplained tiredness

Unexplained weight loss

Change in bowel habits.