RAISING AWARENESS OF OVARIAN CANCER

I was delighted recently to show support for women with ovarian cancer across North Ayrshire & Arran at a special event hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ovarian Cancer, to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Teal is the colour of ovarian cancer awareness, which is alarmingly low in the UK. Data from Target Ovarian Cancer shows just one in five women can name bloating as one of the key symptoms of the disease. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Persistent bloating- not bloating that comes and goes • Feeling full or loss of appetite • Tummy pain • Needing to wee more often or more urgently

Too many women die of ovarian cancer. We all have to act to ensure that more women know the symptoms to look out for, are diagnosed sooner and get the treatment they need. That’s why I was delighted to support women with ovarian cancer and their families. Raising awareness of ovarian cancer and help more women get an early diagnosis. Knowing the symptoms of ovarian cancer is vital, not only for women of all ages, but also for healthcare professionals.

Ovarian cancer can be devastating. Every year 7,300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK, and 4,100 women die from the disease. Target Ovarian Cancer works to raise the profile of ovarian cancer, spread the word about the symptoms, and train GPs in early diagnosis.

Visit targetovariancancer.org.uk to find out more.