Most women are unaware of the key symptoms of ovarian cancer and GPs often dismiss the signs too quickly, a charity has warned.
Target Ovarian Cancer polled 1,000 and found that 79% of women did not know that bloating is a key symptom, 68% were unaware that abdominal pain is a sign and 97% did not know feeling full is another.
As many as 99% of women did not know that needing to pee more urgently is a symptom, while some 40% incorrectly believed ovarian cancer can be detected by screening for cervical cancer.
Evidence also suggests that women can often mistakenly be told that their symptoms are a sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Ovarian cancer kills around a third of women in the first year after diagnosis and is often detected in the late stages, but early diagnosis can mean it is more treatable.
Around 7,500 new cases are recorded in the UK each year and while it can impact anyone with ovaries, it mostly affects those over the age of 50.
Annwen Jones, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “These figures are incredibly disappointing.
“We know we’ve shifted the dial in the past 10 years through the dedication of thousands of Target Ovarian Cancer’s campaigners, but it is not enough.
“Knowing the symptoms is crucial for everyone. We need to make sustained and large-scale government-backed symptoms campaigns a reality.
“Progress is possible. If we do this, fewer people will be diagnosed late, fewer will need invasive treatment, and, ultimately, fewer will die needlessly from ovarian cancer.”
Signs of ovarian cancer can appear early on and while symptoms may be caused by other conditions, women are advised to get checked by a GP as the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more treatable it will be. Listed are 10 key warning symptoms of the disease women should look for.
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1. Bloating
Feeling bloated or having a swollen tummy is one of the key signs of ovarian cancer and can occur frequently. If you experience bloating up to 12 times or more per month, you should see your GP. | jajam_e - stock.adobe.com
2. Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain or tenderness in your tummy or pelvis could be an indication of ovarian cancer. Again this symptom can occur frequently throughout each month. | Shutterstock
3. Feeling full
A loss of appetite or feeling full quickly after eating may be a sign of something more serious. While this symptom can be caused by other diseases, when caused by ovarian cancer it tends to be persistent. | Shutterstock
4. Peeing more frequently
Ovarian cancer can cause urinary symptoms, such as urgently needing to pee, or having to pee more often than usual. | ruigsantos - stock.adobe.com