• Find a Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Give Now
  • Login
Ochsner Health
  • About Ochsner

    Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.

    Learn More

    About Ochsner

    • Mission & Vision
    • History
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Outcomes & Honors
    • News & Media
    • Alumni
    • Ochsner Health Network
    • Contact Us

    Community Outreach

    • About Community Outreach
    • Classes & Events
    • Programs
    • Community Health Needs Assessment
    • Discovery Health Sciences Academy

    Health Resources

    • All Health Resources
    • Healthy State
    • To Your Health Blog
    • Golden Opportunity
    • Ochsner Magazine
  • Patients & Visitors

    Thank you for choosing Ochsner Health for your care. We are committed to making an ongoing difference in the health of our communities.

    Learn More

    I need to…

    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Location
    • Find a Specialty Find a Specialty or Treatment
    • Schedule an Appt. Schedule an Appointment
    • Pay a Bill

    Services & Resources

    • Patient Services
    • COVID-19 Visitor Policy
    • Billing & Financial Services
    • Insurance Information
    • Language and Translation Services
    • Share Your Story
    • Read Patient Stories

    MyOchsner

    • About MyOchsner
    • How to Use MyOchsner
    • Patient Login
    • New Patient? Sign Up
  • Specialties & Treatments

    Connect to care at Ochsner. Click on a featured specialty on the list or search for a specialty.

    All Specialties

    Featured Specialties

  • Research & Education

    Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. And as the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be leaders who can meet evolving healthcare challenges.

    All Research All Education

    Research

    • All Research
    • Clinical Trials
    • Clinical Research
    • Translational Research
    • Outcomes and Health Services Research
    • Nursing Research
    • Research Opportunities
    • Collaboration Resources

    Education

    • All Education
    • UQ-Ochsner Clinical School
    • Clinical Medical Education
    • Graduate Medical Education
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • Medical Library
    • Publishing Services
    • Medical Illustrations
  • Careers

    Discover Your Future At Ochsner! With unlimited growth potential, both professionally and personally, now is the time to start your future with Ochsner.

    Visit Careers

    Find the Career for You

    • Careers at Ochsner
    • Why Work Here
    • Search Jobs
    • Benefits
    • Locations

    Career Paths

    • Physicians
    • Allied Health
    • Non-Medical Professional
    • Management & Leadership
    • Technology & Innovation
    • Research, Fellowships & Residencies
    • Advanced Practice Providers
  • Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.

    Learn More

    About Ochsner

    • Mission & Vision
    • History
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Annual Report
    • Outcomes & Honors
    • News & Media
    • Alumni
    • Ochsner Health Network
    • Contact Us

    Community Outreach

    • About Community Outreach
    • Classes & Events
    • Programs
    • Community Health Needs Assessment
    • Discovery Health Sciences Academy

    Health Resources

    • All Health Resources
    • Healthy State
    • To Your Health Blog
    • Golden Opportunity
    • Ochsner Magazine
  • Thank you for choosing Ochsner Health for your care. We are committed to making an ongoing difference in the health of our communities.

    Learn More

    I need to…

    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Location
    • Find a Specialty Find a Specialty or Treatment
    • Schedule an Appt. Schedule an Appointment
    • Pay a Bill

    Services & Resources

    • Patient Services
    • COVID-19 Visitor Policy
    • Billing & Financial Services
    • Insurance Information
    • Language and Translation Services
    • Share Your Story
    • Read Patient Stories

    MyOchsner

    • About MyOchsner
    • How to Use MyOchsner
    • Patient Login
    • New Patient? Sign Up
  • Connect to care at Ochsner. Click on a featured specialty on the list or search for a specialty.

    All Specialties

    Featured Specialties

  • Ochsner is committed to a clinically-integrated research program with the ultimate goal of improving the health and wellness of our patients and communities. And as the largest academic medical center in Louisiana, we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to be leaders who can meet evolving healthcare challenges.

    All Research All Education

    Research

    • All Research
    • Clinical Trials
    • Clinical Research
    • Translational Research
    • Outcomes and Health Services Research
    • Nursing Research
    • Research Opportunities
    • Collaboration Resources

    Education

    • All Education
    • UQ-Ochsner Clinical School
    • Clinical Medical Education
    • Graduate Medical Education
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • Medical Library
    • Publishing Services
    • Medical Illustrations
  • Discover Your Future At Ochsner! With unlimited growth potential, both professionally and personally, now is the time to start your future with Ochsner.

    Visit Careers

    Find the Career for You

    • Careers at Ochsner
    • Why Work Here
    • Search Jobs
    • Benefits
    • Locations

    Career Paths

    • Physicians
    • Allied Health
    • Non-Medical Professional
    • Management & Leadership
    • Technology & Innovation
    • Research, Fellowships & Residencies
    • Advanced Practice Providers
    • Find a Doctor
    • Find A Location
    • Schedule An Appointment
    • Give Now
    • Patient Login
    Call: 1-866-624-7637
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Thinkstockphotos Sb10061547Bn 001 (1)

Ovarian Cancer: Risks and Symptoms

Sep 11, 2020 |
By Julie Price, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Ovarian cancer is cancer that is located in the ovaries of women. In the United States, it is the eighth most common cancer, as well as the fifth leading cause of cancer death.

Ovarian cancer often goes undetected because the symptoms resemble conditions that many women experience every day. By the time it is typically caught, it is often in an advanced stage, making treatment more complex. Ovarian cancer is best treated when discovered at the earliest possible stage. This is why it’s important to understand the symptoms, however common, as well as the known risk factors.

Common symptoms associated with ovarian cancer include persistent or progressive:

  • Bloating
  • Abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Difficulty eating
  • Feeling full quickly
  • Urinary symptoms

Other common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Upset stomach, heartburn, gas, or nausea
  • Back pain
  • Pain with intercourse
  • Constipation, or unexplained changes in bowel habits or diarrhea
  • Unexplained weight loss/gain

Certain risk factors for ovarian cancer include increasing age (the average age is 63), having a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, or colon cancer, and women with an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish background.

Hereditary risk factors for ovarian cancer include a history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, and colorectal cancer in multiple relatives including parents, siblings, children, grandparents, and grandchildren. Genetic mutations BRCA1 or BRCA2 as well as mutation associated with Lynch Syndrome are also considered hereditary risk factors.

Other factors include:

  • Never given birth, or issues with getting pregnant
  • Endometriosis
  • Estrogen Replacement for more than 10 years

While there is no known way to prevent ovarian cancer, women who have given birth or have used birth control for 5+ years, undergone tubal ligation, hysterectomy, and/ or surgery to remove ovaries, or breastfed are shown to be at reduced risk.

The best approach is to be proactive with your health: speak to your doctor if you feel you are at risk for developing ovarian cancer, or if you notice any sudden changes in your health that mirror the common symptoms outlined above.

Early detection can save your life. Learn more about lifesaving cancer screenings at Ochsner.org/cancer-screenings

Tags
ovarian cancer
cancer

You may also be interested in:

Getty Images 964894662
Prevention & Wellness
August 9, 2022

Ovarian Cancer Screenings: Myths vs. Facts

Because ovarian cancer is often caught in an advanced stage, and many symptoms resemble common conditions, there are a number of myths surrounding routine screening tests.
By Julie Price, MD
Istock 60240158 Sm
Prevention & Wellness
August 5, 2022

5 Cancer Screenings All Women Should Know About

Although you may not be experiencing any symptoms, it is still important to get screened regularly for certain forms of cancer.
By John T Cole, MD
Getty Images 1132153020
Conditions & Treatment
August 5, 2022

Strategies for Caregivers of Patients with Cancer

Small steps to decrease stress and increase positivity when caring for a loved one with cancer.
By Nicholas Tworek, PsyD

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips newsletters, delivered to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide