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Each year, over 7,400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, making it the 6th most common cancer among women. With early diagnosis and the right treatment, 9/10 women survive. However, this isn’t the reality for most women. In fact, 2/3 of women are diagnosed late.
To support the research into the prevention, detection and treatment of ovarian cancer and to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, why not get involved this Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month?
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that affects the ovaries. As with most cancers, tumours are formed through the uncontrolled division of cells. These tumours can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). If the tumour is cancerous, it has the potential to spread to other parts of the body. In terms of ovarian cancer, tumours can grow around the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, campaigns are coordinated to raise awareness for ovarian cancer and fundraise to advance research. With only 1 in 10 women knowing the main symptoms of ovarian cancer, it is crucial to raise awareness to educate women about the signs of ovarian cancer to achieve an early diagnosis. If women are diagnosed early and receive the right treatment, 9/10 women can survive.
Additionally, there is currently no screening process for ovarian cancer. By advancing research into the prevention, detection and treatment of ovarian cancer, more women can receive an early diagnosis, and more than 3/10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a chance of living beyond 10 years. With your help, Ovarian Cancer Action hopes to increase the survival rate of ovarian cancer by 2032 to at least half of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer living for 10 years.
Due to the similarity in symptoms between ovarian cancer and other illnesses, women are commonly misdiagnosed. It is, therefore, important to educate women about ovarian cancer symptoms to ensure they are diagnosed correctly. Common symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
There are also other symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as:
If you are concerned or have any of these symptoms, you can contact your GP for more information.
There are also some factors that can increase your risk of ovarian cancer. Some risk factors include:
It must be noted that these are only risk factors, meaning they increase your risk of ovarian cancer, but this does not mean it is a certainty that you will develop ovarian cancer.
There is currently no screening process for ovarian cancer. This means if you have any of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, it is recommended you go to see your GP for more information. Your GP may then use a blood test and scans to test for ovarian cancer. Other tests may also need to be conducted to understand the size of the cancer and to see whether the cancer has spread.
The campaign for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 2024 is Walk in Her Name. Why not show your support this month by joining a community to walk 100km in March to remember those who have lost their lives to ovarian cancer, to show support and to raise funding for research?
If this is not for you, there are numerous other ways you can get involved. From wearing a teal ovarian cancer ribbon to spark a conversation to setting up your own fundraiser or sharing your story, you can show your support and raise awareness, contributing to reaching the target of at least half of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer living past 10 years by 2032.
Let Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month encourage you to take control of your health this March. With an ovarian cancer blood test and our range of other blood tests, we can help you ensure your health is a top priority at Home Health. For more information about ovarian cancer, take a look at our health information guide.
Get involved in Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to show your support and raise awareness for ovarian cancer!
There are common symptoms of ovarian cancer that you should be aware of. The main ovarian cancer symptoms are:
If you have any of these symptoms, you should tell your GP for more advice. Additionally, you can also take an ovarian cancer blood test at home.
Ovarian cancer is treatable, with 9/10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer surviving with an early diagnosis and treatment. However, currently, 2/3 of women are diagnosed late, making it harder for successful treatment. By raising awareness for ovarian cancer symptoms, the chances of early detection are increased.
The actual cause of ovarian cancer is unknown. Still, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer, such as family history, genetics, age and long menstrual history. Each of these factors can make it more likely for you to develop ovarian cancer, but it does not make it certain.
If you have symptoms of ovarian cancer, you should go and see your GP. An ovarian cancer blood test and scans such as CT scans and ultrasound are usually then conducted to determine your diagnosis. However, additional testing may also be needed.
