Ovarian cancer is categorised as cancer in the ovaries, fallopian tube or peritoneum. In the UK, over 7000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year and two thirds are diagnosed when the cancer is in the later stages. This is thought to be because the symptoms are often vague and can be symptoms of other less serious conditions.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
The main symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
- A swollen tummy or feeling bloated
- Pelvic pain
- No appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- An urgent need to pee or peeing too often
Other symptoms can include:
- Indigestion
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Back pain
- Feeling tired
- Losing weight without trying
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
Tests for ovarian cancer include the CA125 blood test used to measure protein levels, ultrasound scanning and genetic testing.
Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Why is ovarian cancer awareness month needed?
As ovarian cancer is sadly too often diagnosed in the later stages, the monthly campaign helps to raise awareness of the symptoms and campaign for change so that more people can receive an earlier diagnosis.
Target ovarian cancer who support people diagnosed with ovarian cancer has developed 11 ways of raising awareness which include:
- Sharing the symptoms
- Learn more about ovarian cancer by watching their short video
- Update email signatures with the symptoms
- Download the symptom poster
- Order an awareness pack
- Put the symptoms on your background
- Give an awareness talk
- Raise funds
- Campaign for change by asking your MP to raise awareness
- Share the support line
- Share your efforts on social media.
Target ovarian cancer is also running a ‘miss it for March’ campaign encouraging people to give something up for March to raise vital funds for research and to support people diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
It is also thought that only 1 in 5 women know that bloating is a symptom of ovarian cancer and 40% of women wrongly believe that cervical screening detects ovarian cancer. The awareness month therefore hopes to change this so that more people are educated about the symptoms to look out for.
Kirsty Dakin is a specialist medical negligence solicitor and says ‘Campaigns such as ovarian cancer awareness month are vital to raise awareness of the symptoms so that more people can be diagnosed earlier which ultimately saves lives.’
