Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month – MARCH

Whilst I obviously applaud the way that the beauty industry got behind breast cancer and the huge event that is Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, I do rather feel that it has also had the disadvantage of completely overshadowing other cancers. For example, twice as many women die annually from lung cancer than breast cancer.

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. How I wish for a sea of teal blue products on sale in beauty halls up and down the country – sadly I think that is a long way off – gynecological cancers are not ‘pretty’ causes. Does the fact that we are de-sensitised to breasts have anything to do with it? I don’t know – all I know is that there are other cancers out there. And we need to be aware of the facts. And the symptoms:

  • Ovarian cancer is the fourth most
    common cause of cancer death in women and accounts for more UK deaths than all
    of the other gynaecological cancers put together
    .
  • Over 6,500 women are
    diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year in the UK and 4,400 will die.

The good news is that if diagnosed at an early stage, the outcome is good. However, because some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar to those seen in more common conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose. Most women are not diagnosed until the disease has spread, which is why it is important that women know about the symptoms, so that they can seek advice as early as possible.

The key early signs and symptoms of
ovarian cancer are:

  • persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
  • increased abdominal size/persistent bloating – not
    bloating that comes and goes
  • difficulty eating and feeling full quickly
  • urinary symptoms – needing to pass water more
    often than usual

It is most likely that these symptoms
are not ovarian cancer but may be present in some women with the disease.

Ovacome has teamed with HealthUnlocked and Macmillan Cancer Support to create a unique way of raising awareness of the early signs of ovarian cancer. It’s worth a few minutes of your time.

For further info and to give support try these:

Ovarian Cancer Action
Ovacome
The Eve Appeal
Macmillan