Women: OVARIAN CANCER: THE FACTS

MORE than 7,000 women in Britain are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. It’s currently the fourth most common cancer in women and has a low survival rate – only 30 per cent of women diagnosed live longer than five years, compared to 80 per cent for breast cancer.

However, research is now showing that even in the early stages most women experience some symptoms. And if detected in the early stages, survival rates are as high as 95 per cent.

Spot the symptoms

THE most commonly reported symptoms are bloating, increased abdominal size and the need to urinate more. Other symptoms include back or abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits, excessive fatigue, indigestion and irregular bleeding (though this is less common.)

Because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), it can be difficult to detect.

Risk factors include

Age. Risk increases as you get older.

Family history.

Being overweight.

Not having had children or breastfed (this is reduced with sustained use of the Pill).