| Raising awareness during
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women in the UK, affecting around 6,600 women every year in the UK. It is the biggest
gynaecological killer of women in the UK and the fourth most common cause of death from cancer in women after lung, breast and bowel
cancer. Awareness of the disease and its symptoms is low. Research conducted by Ovarian Cancer Action shows that women are more likely to know
about male cancers than ovarian cancer. Most women currently cannot name a single symptom of ovarian cancer.
In the absence of a proven screening tool that detects ovarian cancer, an awareness of the key symptoms currently provides our greatest
chance of detecting it at an early stage.
With two out of every three cases of ovarian cancer being diagnosed when the disease has spread and treatment options are limited, it is
critical that we pull out all the stops to ensure women with ovarian cancer get diagnosed earlier. The good news is that, if detected in its early
stages, women have a 90% chance of surviving the disease. It is hoped that by improving awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer amongst
women and GPs, women will report persistent symptoms sooner and receive prompter, more effective treatment.
However the reality is that currently over 60% of women diagnosed with the disease will die within five years, a statistic that has not
significantly improved in the UK for twenty years.
The average GP will only see one case of ovarian cancer every five years. Ovarian Cancer Action is keen to work hand in hand with GPs and
women to ensure that information on the symptoms and risks associated with ovarian cancer is communicated responsibly and work together to
improve outcomes for women diagnosed with the disease. In 2009, we formed a partnership with the Royal College of GPs to ensure GPs are
aware and supportive of Ovarian Cancer Action’s Remember the Symptoms campaign.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer include: persistent stomach pain, increased abdominal size and persistent bloating,
difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. These common
symptoms alongside needing to urinate more frequently, a change in bowel habits, back pain
and extreme fatigue are often confused for less serious and more common conditions, such as
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or the menopause. Whilst it is most likely that these symptoms
are not ovarian cancer, it is important that anybody experiencing them on most days
discusses any concerns with their GP.
To facilitate women’s conversations with their GPs and to help them differentiate between ovarian cancer and less serious conditions, Ovarian
Cancer Action has prepared a Symptoms Diary. The Diary enables women to diarise the type of symptom/s they are experiencing and the
persistency of those symptoms to help differentiate the disease from less serious conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The diary is a
useful tool for discussing symptoms with a GP and asking whether ovarian cancer should be considered. To download a copy of the Symptoms
Diary, visit: www.ovarian.org.uk/download/symptom_diary.pdf Visit the Ovarian Cancer Action website - www.ovarian.org.uk for more information Other useful websites:
WOW - Wellbeing of Women
Macmillan. Cancer Support - we make things clearer.
AICR (Association for International Cancer Research) - working to conquer cancer. Ovarian Cancer FAQs.
Cancer Research UK - Ovarian cancer
Netdoctor - Ovarian cancer
ovacome - the ovarian cancer support network |