Every year, 6,800 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
If caught early, treatment can be very successful.
In 2008, the Department of Health consulted with some of the UK’s leading scientists, doctors and charities with an interest in ovarian cancer – including Ovarian Cancer Action - and agreed on a number of key symptoms, which are more common in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
This is a major development as diagnosing ovarian cancer can be difficult because symptoms are often similar to those caused by more common, less serious conditions.
If you have any of the following symptoms, it is unlikely that they are caused by a serious problem, but it is important that you discuss them with your doctor and ask if they have considered ovarian cancer. In particular, you should ask your GP whether ovarian cancer should be considered if you experience any of these three symptoms on most days:
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Persistent pelvic and stomach pain.
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Increased abdominal size / persistent bloating - not bloating that comes and goes.
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Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly.
Occasionally other symptoms such as urinary symptoms, changes in bowel habit, extreme fatigue or back pain may also be experienced on their own or at the same time as those listed above.
As part of its ongoing commitment to raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer amongst women and healthcare professionals, Ovarian Cancer Action has unveiled a UK-wide advertising campaign to encourage women to remember the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
The campaign features actress Emilia Fox (star of the TV series ‘Silent Witness’) and has been made possible through her generous support, that of the advertising agency Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R and photographer, Lorenzo Agius.
Emilia Fox says -
‘Like most women, I was completely unaware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer before I got involved in Ovarian Cancer Action’s 'Remember the symptoms' campaign.
Now, I’ve made sure that all the women in my life know about the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and I hope that as a result of the campaign other women will be more aware, and talk to their GP if they are experiencing any of the symptoms on most days.’
The new advertisements will appear in newspapers, magazines and on billboards throughout the UK from July onwards.
The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the common symptoms of ovarian cancer and encouraging women to share this information with the other women in their lives.
Raising awareness will improve women’s chances of the disease being diagnosed earlier – before it has spread beyond the ovary – when their chances of survival are better.
Ovarian Cancer Action’s Chief Executive, Peter Reynolds, said:
‘We are truly grateful for the generous support of Emilia Fox and everyone who has been involved in this campaign.
We want to keep the momentum of our awareness-raising going throughout the year. We hope media companies across the UK will support this important health message to women and donate more advertising space to us.’
Download our symptoms awareness leaflet [PDF, 3MB, new window will open]
Keep your eyes peeled!
Look out for the new advertisements over the coming months. If you know of any media companies that might consider donating advertising space, please email Sam Gibson or give her a call on 020 8238 7615.
If you are experiencing one or a combination of the symptoms on most days, download Ovarian Cancer Action’s Symptom Diary [1.18MB, PDF, new window will open]. Make a note of the type, frequency and severity of your symptoms and ask your GP whether ovarian cancer should be considered.
Download the key messages on ovarian cancer for the public [99KB, PDF, new window will open].