Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

This March is also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Every year 7,400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK. Ovarian Cancer is cancer arising from the cells in and around the ovary and fallopian tubes. Early detection is very important and this month we are helping to educate more women about the risks and symptoms to look out for to aid early detection of ovarian cancer.                                                             

The Four Main Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer include: 

• Persistent stomach pain 
• Persistent bloating 
• Difficulty eating/feeling full more quickly 
• Needing to wee more frequently. 

Other symptoms might also include back pain, changes in bowel habits, and extreme tiredness for no obvious reason. It is worth noting that these can also be symptoms of other, less serious, conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cysts, and polycystic ovary syndrome so if you’re experiencing them it doesn’t necessarily mean you have ovarian cancer.  We would further recommend seeing your GP for physical examinations and a CA125 blood test. 

However, about 50% of GPs mistakenly believe that symptoms of ovarian cancer only present in the later stages of the disease, and less than a third of women in the UK are confident they know the symptoms. Due to this, many women do not get diagnosed early. If you feel that you might be at risk, consider contacting your GP to have a screening done.