About this event
Make Change Happen this March by raising much needed awareness and funds for research during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
More women die from ovarian cancer than any other gynaecological cancer. It is often diagnosed during its later stages, and we are here to raise awareness of its signs and symptoms to help change that.
In the UK nearly 7,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year and it is the sixth most common cancer in women in the UK. Ovarian cancer research is underfunded and its symptoms little-known about.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Cancer of the ovary is most common in post-menopausal women, although it can affect women of any age.
There are many types of ovarian cancer, with epithelial ovarian cancer being by far the most common form. Germ cell and stromal ovarian cancers are much less common.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer are often the same as for other less serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), it can be difficult to recognise the symptoms in the early stages – which is why most women are not diagnosed until the disease has spread.
However, there are four main ovarian cancer symptoms that are more prevalent in women diagnosed with the condition:
- Increased abdominal size and persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
- Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
- Unexplained change in bowel habits
- Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly, or feeling nauseous
Other symptoms, such as back pain, needing to pass urine more frequently than usual, and pain during sex may be present in some women with the disease; however, it is most likely that these are not symptoms of ovarian cancer but may be the result of other conditions in the pelvic area.
