What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a cancer that starts in the ovaries. The ovaries are small organs inside the lower tummy (pelvis). They release eggs and make hormones.
Sometimes, cancer can grow in the ovaries and cause ongoing tummy symptoms. Finding ovarian cancer early can make it easier to treat.
Ovarian cancer usually develops because of a mix of things over time. Often there is no single clear cause.
Lifestyle and health factors that can increase risk:
- Being overweight or living with obesity
- Endometriosis
- Diabetes
- Using HRT (risk depends on the type and how long it’s used)
Longer-term factors:
- Getting older
- Family history of ovarian or breast cancer
- Inherited genes such as BRCA or Lynch syndrome
- Releasing more eggs over your lifetime (for example: periods starting young, menopause later, or not having had a baby)
- Never using hormonal contraception (the pill / implant can lower risk)
Having one or more risk factors does not mean someone will develop ovarian cancer, it just means the chance may be higher.
You don’t need to panic, just notice what’s normal for you
These symptoms matter most when they are new for you, persistent, and happen often (roughly 12+ times a month):
- A swollen tummy or feeling bloated
- Tummy or pelvic pain
- No appetite or feeling full quickly
- Needing to pee more often or more urgently
When to get advice
See a GP if the symptoms above are frequent (12+ times a month), persistent, and not normal for you.
Ovarian cancer - Tests and next steps - NHS
For more information you can visit any of the links below.
Last reviewed: January 2026