Each day eleven women die from ovarian cancer often because the disease was detected to late, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month aims to raise awareness of the disease.
Here in the UK, each year over seven thousand women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and unlike in other countries who detect the disease earlier than us, more than two thirds are detected late when the disease is harder to treat.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian Cancer kills more women in the UK than womb, cervical, vulva and vaginal cancers combined but one of the keys to surviving ovarian cancer is early detection. In the UK just one in three women live more than ten years after their cancer diagnosis and this is because late diagnosis limits the treatment options and leads to a seventy per cent chance of recurrence.
But, there is a ninety-five per cent chance of survival if a woman is diagnosed at stage one and the aim of the UK’s leading ovarian cancer charity Ovarian Cancer Action is to make sure that by 2032 half of women live more than ten years after diagnosis.
A lot of progress has been made. Ovarian cancer survival rates in the UK have almost doubled since the 1960’s with targeted therapies offering more treatment options.
Warning signs
Some of the main symptoms of ovarian cancer can include having a bloated or swollen tummy, pain in the tummy area between the hips, lower appetite and feeling full after eating, the need to urinate more frequently, unexplained weight loss and fatigue. If you have a family history of ovarian cancer or are experiencing some of these symptoms, please seek help.
Lower your risk
A healthy lifestyle is thought to help lower the risk of getting ovarian cancer. Stopping smoking and drinking moderately can help as can regular exercise. If you do have a family history of the diseases, there are test and step you can take to lower the risk. Your GP can offer advice about the options.
Walk In Her Name
One way you can participate in Ovarian Cancer Awareness month is by taking part in Walk In Her Name. This is where participants walk 100km in March in memory and celebration of the women that have been lost to Ovarian Cancer and to take part in a movement where the community comes together as one to fund research and change the lives of everyone effected.
Raise awareness and funds
There are lots of ways to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and funds for research. As well as taking part in a Walk in Her Name you could also organise an event in your locality. A bake sale is one way you can raise vital funds. Or slip into your running shoes and take part in a sponsored run. If you have time, you could raise awareness on social media – raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer could literally save a life.
For more information please www.ovarian.org.uk
Rob Bullock https://robbullockauthor.blogspot.com