March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, do you know the signs?
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include frequently (roughly 12 or more times a month) having:
- a swollen tummy or feeling bloated
- pain or tenderness in your tummy or the area between the hips (pelvis)
- no appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- an urgent need to pee or needing to pee more often
These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions.
But it’s still important to get them checked by a GP. This is because if they’re caused by cancer, finding it early can mean it’s more treatable.
For more information please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
11 women in the UK die every day from ovarian cancer. Awareness of ovarian cancer is low, with two-thirds of women diagnose once the cancer has already spread.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common type of cancer in women. The ovaries are a pair of small organs located low in the tummy that are connected to the womb and store a woman’s supply of eggs.
Ovarian cancer mainly affects women who have been through the menopause, but it can sometimes affect younger women.
Symptoms to look out for:
- feeling constantly bloated
- a swollen tummy
- discomfort in your tummy or pelvic area
- feeling full quickly when eating
- needing to pee more often than normal
When to see your GP
- you’ve been feeling bloated most days for the last three weeks
- you have other symptoms of ovarian cancer that won’t go away
- you have a family history of ovarian cancer and are worried you may be at a higher risk of getting it
It’s unlikely you have cancer, but it’s best to check. Your GP can do some simple tests to see if you might have it.
You can find more information and advice about ovarian cancer on the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month website.
