Do you suffer from persistent pelvic or stomach pain? Do you feel bloated all the time? Feel full quickly? Need to wee more than usual? If these are common complaints, it is time to Take Ovarian Cancer Action Now, say charities Ovarian Cancer Action and Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association.
Launching March 2012 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (OCAM) on the Island, the charities are calling on women of all ages to be aware of the main symptoms of ovarian cancer so that they can take action if they experience them, and make a visit to their GP for a check up.
The UK ranks 7th in Europe for survival rates for ovarian cancer, with 12 women dying every day, and yet the charity states that many women could be treated successfully if they get to a doctor quickly. So Ovarian Cancer Action is calling on women around the country to give their bodies the attention they deserve and to take notice of any changes or symptoms they experience. Getting an early diagnosis really does save lives.
Ovarian Cancer Action thinks that every woman should “Take Ovarian Cancer Action Now” when it comes to the symptoms of ovarian cancer:
- Persistent stomach pain or
- Persistent bloating /increased stomach size
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Needing to wee more often
Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association is working with Ovarian Cancer Action to ensure women on the Island are aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. On the 14th & 15th March, Abi Ajose-Adeogun, Healthcare Projects Manager from Ovarian Cancer Action, will be visiting to Isle of Man to help raise awareness of this type of cancer. During her visit, Abi will be talking to the public at the IOM College Health Fayre, as well as visiting other groups/organisations to promote awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Gilda Witte, Chief Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action says: “Ovarian cancer is not an easy condition to detect or routinely screen for, and cervical smear tests do not cover this disease. But thankfully there are clear symptoms even from the earliest stages, which mean women have a much better chance of beating the disease. We are asking all women to ‘Take Ovarian Cancer Action Now’ and visit their GPs if they experience one or more of the symptoms on most days. Please don’t ignore warning signs that something is not quite right.”
Two thirds of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer currently die from the disease. But women have a good chance of surviving the disease if it’s diagnosed early. Research shows that in excess of 70% of women will survive for more than five years if the cancer is found in its early stages.
Throughout Ovarian Cancer Action Awareness Month – and beyond – women can keep track of symptoms with a free symptom diary, a handy record to share with their GP, available to download from www.ovarian.org.uk.
Ovarian Cancer Action is the UK’s leading ovarian cancer charity, dedicated to improving survival rates for women with ovarian cancer. It funds innovative research into the disease at the Ovarian Cancer Research Centre; raises awareness of the symptoms with national awareness campaigns aimed at women and healthcare workers; and gives a voice to those affected by it, acting as an advocate with policymakers, healthcare professionals and scientists.
For further information the general public and healthcare professionals can visit www.ovarian.org.uk or call 0300 456 4700.
Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association is a Manx-based charity which raises funds to support cancer awareness work on the Island and research into cancer. For more information, please visit www.iomaca.org.im or contact 07624 252725.
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