Gower AM marks World Ovarian Cancer Day

GOWER Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans AM, is joining with Ovarian Cancer Action to mark World Ovarian Cancer Day by raising awareness of the symptoms.

Rebecca Evans AM said: “It is not the most talked about of health issues, but the reality is that ovarian cancer is a disease that kills one woman every two hours in the UK.

“82% of women are unable to name the four main symptoms of Ovarian Cancer, which means there is a lot of work to do.”

The four main symptoms are persistent stomach pain; persistent bloating; finding it difficult to eat or feeling full quickly; and needing to use the toilet more often.

• Ovarian Cancer Action has reported that 70% of women said they would hope general health symptoms such as bloating or fatigue would go away so that they did not have to ask for time off work to see a GP. However an early diagnosis can indeed be lifesaving.

Mrs Evans added: “I would encourage all women to be aware of the symptoms, and go to the GP if anything seems amiss. Early diagnosis is vital.”