Women’s lives are at risk because they do not know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, a national charity has warned.
Just 20% of UK women can name bloating as a key ovarian cancer symptoms, according to Target Ovarian Cancer. If women are not equipped to spot cancer symptoms they are more likely to be diagnosed late, the charity said, when the cancer is harder to treat and they are less likely to survive.
“Early diagnosis is the holy grail in ovarian cancer, and awareness campaigns have the power to save lives,” said Annwen Jones, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer. “It is completely unacceptable that women lack this knowledge.”
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. It typically affects those who have been through the menopause – usually over the age of 50 – but can affect younger women too.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague, according to Cancer Research UK, particularly when the disease is in its early stages. But being aware of them – and when you should seek help – could make a difference to prognosis.
Symptoms Of Ovarian Cancer
:: Feeling full quickly
:: Loss of appetite
:: Pain in the abdomen or lower abdomen which doesn’t go away
:: Bloating of the abdomen
:: Needing to wee more frequently
:: Unexplained tiredness
:: Changes in bowel habits.
When To Visit Your GP
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that if you have the above symptoms 12 or more times a month, you should see your GP, who will arrange tests – especially if you’re over 50 years old.
Treatment And Prognosis
As with most cancers, the faster it is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis. However sadly it often remains undiscovered until it has spread.
Treatment for ovarian cancer will vary depending on the stage of the cancer and whether the patient wants to have children. Most people have a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
The aim of treatment is to cure the cancer, however if the cancer is advanced, treatment aims to relieve symptoms and control it for as long as possible.
Around half of women with ovarian cancer will live for at least five years after diagnosis, according to NHS Choices, and about one in three will live at least 10 years.