Ovarian cancer is often called the silent one. Not because there are no symptoms, but because the symptoms can look like everyday life: bloating, tiredness, digestive issues, and menopausal changes. And that’s exactly why Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month matters.
In the UK, there isn’t a routine screening programme for ovarian cancer for most women, so awareness is about something very simple: noticing what’s new for you, what’s persistent, and acting sooner than you normally would.
Why this matters for South Asian women
If you’re a South Asian woman, you’ve probably been conditioned to minimise your body’s signals. You push through. You don’t want to make a fuss. You don’t want to talk about “private” symptoms. You’re busy caring for everyone else. And midlife adds a whole extra layer, because menopause can make it feel like everything is shifting anyway.
But here’s the thing: menopause symptoms and ovarian cancer symptoms can overlap. That overlap is precisely why we need to take persistence seriously.
The key symptoms to watch for
Ovarian cancer charities and UK health guidance consistently highlight four main symptoms, especially when they are new, unusual for you, and happening frequently:
- Persistent bloating (that doesn’t come and go)
- Feeling full quickly / loss of appetite
- Pelvic or tummy pain
- Needing to wee more urgently or more often
The NHS also flags frequency as important, for example, symptoms happening around 12 or more times a month.
Important note: these symptoms can be caused by many non-cancer reasons too. The message is not panic. The message is don’t ignore persistence.
The South Asian midlife habit that needs to change: waiting
Many women delay because of:
- embarrassment about pelvic symptoms
- fear of wasting the GP’s time
- fear of being dismissed
- fear of what the word cancer would mean for the family
But early investigation can make a difference. Awareness months exist because too many women are diagnosed late.
So this month, practise a new sentence: Something has changed in my body, and I want it checked.
How to advocate for yourself at the GP
If you decide to book an appointment, make it easy on yourself:
- Track symptoms for 2–3 weeks: A quick note in your phone: what you felt, how often, how intense, what makes it better or worse.
- Use clear language
- “This is new for me.”
- “It’s happening most days / frequently.”
- “It’s not going away.”
- “I’m worried about ovarian cancer, and I’d like this investigated.”
- Don’t downplay to sound polite: No, “It’s probably nothing, sorry to bother you.” You’re not bothering anyone. This is what primary care is for.
A gentle action plan for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Pick one:
- Book a GP appointment if you’ve had persistent symptoms.
- Have one conversation with a sister/cousin/friend: “Do you know the main ovarian cancer symptoms?”
- Do a 5-minute self-check-in once a week this month: “What have I normalised that’s actually persistent?”
Journaling prompts
- What symptoms have I been minimising because I’m used to pushing through?
- What’s my biggest fear about being checked, and what support would help?
- If this were my daughter or best friend, what would I tell her to do today?
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is not here to scare you; it’s here to give you permission. Permission to notice what you’ve been brushing off, to trust your body when something feels different, and to speak up even if it feels awkward or inconvenient. As South Asian women, we’ve been trained to endure quietly, to put everyone else first, and to make our own discomfort smaller. But your health is not a footnote in your family’s story. If something is persistent, new, and not settling, don’t carry it alone. Track it. Book the appointment. Ask the questions. You’re not being dramatic, you’re being wise.
Discover more from THE SATTVA COLLECTIVE CIC
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
