Feeling full quickly could be hidden sign of 'silent killer' cancer

25 June 2023 , 16:32

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7,000 women are diagnosed with the devastating illness each year - with two thirds being diagnosed at a late stage (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Feeling full quickly after eating could be a hidden sign of ovarian cancer, according to a women’s health expert.

Often regarded a ‘silent killer’ due to typically vague and undetectable warning signs, ovarian cancer is difficult to cure if diagnosed at an advanced stage.

7,000 women are diagnosed with the devastating illness each year - with two thirds being diagnosed at a late stage.

Dr Jackson Spencer named feeling full quickly as one of the nine known symptoms of ovarian cancer, along with bloating and a loss of appetite.

According to Target Ovarian Cancer, 44 per cent of GPs mistakenly believe symptoms only appear in the later stages of the cancer (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“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,” warns Dr Jackson Spencer.

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According to Target Ovarian Cancer, 44 per cent of GPs mistakenly believe symptoms only appear in the later stages of the cancer.

Furthermore, almost half (45 percent) of women wait for three months after their first GP visit before being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Other warning signs include abdominal pain, a frequent need to urinate and abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Here is the full list of potential warning signs of ovarian cancer:

1. Bloating

2. Feeling full quickly

3. Loss of appetite

4. Abdominal pain

5. Frequent need to urinate

6. Abnormal vaginal bleeding

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7. Unexplained tiredness

8. Unexplained weight loss

9. Change in bowel habits.

Early diagnosis can be life-saving, says Dr Jackson-Spencer: “If caught early, ovarian cancer can be less serious, that’s why it's super important to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible.”

She added: “Unlike cervical and breast cancer there aren't robust screening tests for ovarian cancer.”

“So it’s important to get any symptoms checked out by a doctor. Your GP might want to do a blood test, internal examination or refer you for an ultrasound scan.”

Ovarian cancer has no single cause, but certain factors put more women at risk of developing the life-threatening disease.

Dr Jackson-Spencer said the “increase in the number of times you ovulate creates more opportunities for cancerous cells to develop.”

This means those who started their period earlier or went through menopause later in life may be more at risk of being diagnosed. Furthermore, those who have previously received radiotherapy treatment for cancer may be more at risk.

Half of all ovarian cancer cases occur in women over 65 years old, and “five to ten percent are thought to be hereditary”, said Dr Jackson-Spencer.

For more information or support about ovarian cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support.

Freya Hodgson