Wanda Lawson is a former Chair of the voluntary Consumer Research Panel at ANZGOG, where she worked alongside survivors and carers to help shape research and improve outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers.
Ahead of World Ovarian Cancer Day, she shares the seven symptoms every woman should know — and why listening to your body can be lifesaving.
Our incredible bodies are constantly sending us helpful signals from I’m starving and need to eat, to I’m tired and need to lie down. We are always happy to listen and act quickly with a hearty breakfast or an early night.
When I started losing weight and experiencing fatigue after taking up Bikram yoga, i just thought these were normal effects of my new exercise regime. I actually had no idea that my body was trying to tell me something important. Even when I annoyingly needed the bathroom twice in one work meeting, I still didn’t listen.
My body was trying to tell me that I had ovarian cancer, but I had no idea that these vague symptoms were critical signs that something wasn’t right. Hunger, fatigue, stress, rest — we’re used to recognising and responding to these signals without hesitation. But sometimes, the messages are far more subtle. And far more serious.
I learned this the hard way.
At the time, I assumed the changes I was experiencing were simply the result of lifestyle shifts — new exercise, being busy, normal fluctuations in health. I didn’t connect the dots when I started losing weight unexpectedly, feeling unusually fatigued, or needing the bathroom more frequently during work meetings.
Those symptoms were early signs of ovarian cancer.
Each year, around 1,700 women in Australia are diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. And unlike many other cancers, there is still no effective screening test. That means awareness of symptoms remains one of the most important tools we have for early detection.
That’s why conversations matter — with friends, family, and GPs. The earlier something unusual is investigated, the better the potential outcome.
The 7 symptoms to be aware of
If you notice any of the following symptoms that are new, persistent (most days for two weeks or more), and not normal for you, it’s important to speak with your GP:
- Persistent abdominal bloating or increased abdominal size
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Feeling full quickly, loss of appetite, or ongoing indigestion
- Urinary urgency or frequency
- Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Persistent, unexplained fatigue
Individually, these symptoms can be common and often unrelated to cancer. But persistence and change from your normal pattern are key warning signs.
In my case, I was fortunate. My GP recognised the potential signs and referred me quickly. That awareness made a significant difference.
My treatment involved a complete hysterectomy, removal of lymph nodes from my leg, six months of chemotherapy, and participation in a quality-of-life clinical trial. Recovery was not simple, but it was life-saving.
Six months after chemotherapy, I even went ice climbing in Alaska — a milestone that symbolised rebuilding strength and reclaiming life.
Today, I’ve been cancer-free for 22 years.
I continue to contribute to this space through my involvement with ANZGOG and its Consumer Research Panel, helping ensure that the lived experience of patients and survivors informs future research and clinical care.
Without research, I may not be here today. That’s why giving back through this work matters so deeply to me.
World Ovarian Cancer Day is a reminder that awareness can save lives. Knowing the symptoms, trusting your instincts, and speaking up early can make all the difference.
Listen to your body. It is always speaking to you — the key is learning when to act.need to eat, to I’m tired and need to lie down. We are always happy to listen and act quickly with a hearty breakfast or an early night.