Skip to Main Content

Looks like you’re visiting UCSF Health on Internet Explorer. For the best experience, try Chrome or Firefox.

UCSF Health
Popular Searches
University of California San Francisco
  • Conditions & Treatments
    Conditions & Treatments
    EPILEPSY BREAKTHROUGH

    Stopping Seizures Before They Start

    • Find Conditions

    • Find Treatments

    • Clinical Trials

    • Patient Education

    • Medical Tests

  • Doctors
    Doctors
    MEET OUR DOCTORS
    Dr. Jasleen Kukreja and the Life-Saving Gift of Breath
    • Find a Doctor

    • Doctor Stories

    • Get a Second Opinion

  • Clinics & Locations
    Clinics & Locations
    BAKAR PRECISION CANCER MEDICINE BUILDING
    Care, Convenience and Support at New Cancer Facility
    • Find a Clinic

    • Locations & Directions

    • Partners & Affiliates

    • UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals

  • Patients & Visitors
    Patients & Visitors
    KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
    10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor’s Visit
    • Your Hospital Stay

    • For Visitors

    • International Services

    • For Caregivers

    • Support, Services & Groups

    • Billing & Insurance

    • Pricing Transparency

    • 340B Drug Pricing Program

    • Medical Records

    • Patient Relations

  • Why Choose Us?
    Why Choose Us?
    U.S. News Best Hospital Rankings
    UCSF Health Ranked Among Nation's Top 10 Hospitals
    • Our Mission

    • Quality of Patient Care

    • Patient Stories

    • Embracing Diversity

    • Our Leadership

  • Refer a Patient
  • MyChart
  • Request Appointment
  • Get a Second Opinion
  • Call us: (888) 689-8273
University of California San Francisco
Patient Education

Taking Charge: Screening for Ovarian Cancer

Related Conditions
Breast Cancer
Ovarian Cancer

Detecting cancer in the ovaries is more difficult than finding cancer in the breast, because these organs are not visible or easy to examine. No screening tests are currently available that can be widely used to find this cancer at an early stage. Women usually do not develop noticeable symptoms from ovarian cancer until the disease is quite advanced.

It is for this reason that ovarian cancer claims so many lives. If the disease is discovered when it is confined to the ovary, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent, but only 25 percent of all ovarian cancers are found at this early stage. Scientists are working to develop a screening test that can be used to detect ovarian cancer, just as mammography is used to detect breast cancer and Pap smears are used to find cervical cancer.

In the meantime, there are things you can do to improve the odds that ovarian cancer is found as soon as possible:

  • Make sure you have a regular pelvic examination. If your doctor finds an enlarged ovary, he or she may do additional studies, such as an ultrasound.
  • Seek prompt medical attention if any of these symptoms persist. The symptoms described below sometimes occur with ovarian cancer, but are also often caused by many other conditions. If they persist, you should contact your doctor.
    • Prolonged swelling of the abdomen
    • Digestive problems including gas, loss of appetite, bloating, long-term stomach pain or indigestion
    • Unusual vaginal bleeding
    • Pelvic pressure (feeling as though you have to urinate or defecate all the time)
    • Pelvic pain
    • Leg pain

Read More

  • Next section of Taking Charge: How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?

Return to the Taking Charge Index

  • What Is Breast Cancer?
  • Who Gets Breast Cancer?
  • If You Are at High Risk for Breast Cancer
  • Screening for Breast Cancer
  • How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
  • How Is Breast Cancer Treated?
  • What Is Ovarian Cancer?
  • Who Gets Ovarian Cancer?
  • If You Are at High Risk for Ovarian Cancer
  • Screening for Ovarian Cancer
  • How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?
  • How is Ovarian Cancer Treated?
  • Living With Cancer
  • Diet, Lifestyle and Cancer
  • Glossary of Terms

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Recommended reading

Basic Facts About Breast Health

Learn basic facts about breast structure and function and how to differentiate between the different types and stages of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Glossary

Check out our comprehensive Glossary of Breast Cancer terminology, which includes definitions of everything from AC chemotherapy to peripheral neuropathy.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Click now to find a summary of the factors that increase risk for developing breast cancer, including both factors that we cannot change and those we can.

Self-Care and Recovery

Self-Care and recovery resources including an Introduction to Lifestyle Change, Nutrition and Breast Cancer, Hydration: Water and Health, Meditation and more.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction, surgery to rebuild a breast's shape, is often an option after mastectomy and is covered by some health insurance plans. Learn more now.

Follow-Up Care for Breast Cancer Patients

After patients have completed treatment for early stage breast cancer, one of the common questions is, "How should I best be monitored?" Learn more here.

Mastectomy: Instructions Before Surgery

The following information will help you prepare for your upcoming Mastectomy surgery. If you have any questions, please contact the Breast Care Center staff.

Mastectomy: Instructions After Surgery

Post Mastectomy surgery instructions including, pain management, incision and dressing care, activity, diet, follow-up care and more.

Menopause and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer treatment often causes women to enter menopause prematurely. Although each woman reacts to therapy individually, certain side effects are common.

Metastatic Breast Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment

Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that originated in the breast and has spread to other organ systems in the body. Learn more here.

Navigating Your Path to Breast Care

Different services and information are needed at different points in breast health care and breast cancer treatment. Learn more here.

Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer

Women who have had breast cancer or are considered at high risk for developing breast cancer are at risk for developing osteoporosis. Learn more.

Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

The UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center and the Department of Radiation Oncology have compiled information about radiation therapy for your convenience.

Related clinics

Breast Care Center

Berkeley Outpatient Center

3100 San Pablo Ave., Suite 280
Berkeley, CA 94702

(415) 353-7070

Gynecologic Oncology Center

Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

See all 3 of our Bay Area locations and learn more about the center.

(415) 353-9600

Attention: Masks On!

If you're a patient or visitor in one of our hospitals or clinics, you're required to wear a mask indoors.

Did you know?

Could video games be digital medicine? UCSF's Neuroscape lab is developing video games and other high-tech tools to improve cognition and help treat a variety of disorders, including ADHD, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Learn more
UCSF Health
Follow UCSF Health:
Getting Care
  • Find a Doctor
  • Emergency Care
  • Primary Care
  • All Medical Services
  • International Services
Getting Involved
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Join Our Team
About Us
  • Locations & Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Patient Relations
  • Media Resources
  • Accessibility Resources
  • Report Misconduct
  • Website Privacy Policy
  • Quality of Patient Care
  • Crisis Standards of Care
  • Our Organization
  • UCSF News
  • Notice of Privacy Practices
Research and Education
  • Clinical Trials
  • UC San Francisco
  • UCSF School of Medicine
  • UCSF School of Nursing
  • UCSF School of Pharmacy
Referring Physicians
  • Refer a Patient
  • Transfer a Patient
  • MDLink
  • Request a Consultation
  • Physician Channel
Follow UCSF Health:
© 2002 - 2023. The Regents of The University of California.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Some stock photos, posed by model.

Share

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email Link
  • Copy Link