Creating Cancer Caring Communities Blog - 12th May

This week we are talking about World Ovarian Cancer Day

In the UK, there are 41,000 women living with ovarian cancer. Yet a whopping 90% of women do not know the four main symptoms to look out for. These are; persistent stomach pain, persistent bloating, difficulty eating/feeling full more quickly, and needing to wee more frequently. This short video from Ovarian Cancer Action highlights these World Ovarian Cancer Day 2022 | Ovarian Cancer Action.

The keywords here are persistent and frequent. You know your body best, so take note of any symptoms that are severe or out of the ordinary for you. Two-thirds of women are diagnosed late when the cancer is harder to treat. So don’t ignore the signs. Others include pain or pressure in the back or pelvis, indigestion, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness, changes in bowel habits (i.e. going more often or a lot less) and post-menopausal vaginal bleeding.

What should I do if I’m worried? If you or someone you know have any concerns, make an appointment with your GP.

Part of the problem is that many of these symptoms are linked with other illnesses/conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome. This can make ovarian cancer tricky to detect in its early stages, causing delays in diagnosis and treatment.

It can be a good idea to keep a record of the symptoms you are experiencing and bring this along with you when you talk to your doctor. This can help them to make a diagnosis. A simple way to keep track of your symptoms is with this downloadable symptoms diary from Ovarian Cancer Action.

The good news is…

If diagnosed at the earliest stage, 9 in 10 women will survive. Ovarian cancer survival is improving and has almost doubled in the last 40 years in the UK.

So, what can I do to lower my risk?

• Eat a healthy diet – with a wide range of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans – and cut down on red and processed meats.
• The combined contraceptive pill is known to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, particularly after five years or more. However, other potential health risks come with taking the pill, including increased breast cancer risk, so you should consider these and discuss with your GP if it is the right option for you.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding combine to reduce the chance of developing ovarian cancer. Some studies suggest that women who breastfeed for a year or more may have a reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
• Finding alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help. Speak to your doctor about alternatives to HRT after menopause.
• I am affected by ovarian cancer. What support is out there?

Ovacome: Ovarian Cancer Friday tea and chat

These weekly sessions on Friday afternoon 13:30 – 15:30 pm give you the chance to connect with others living with ovarian cancer. You can talk through anything that's playing on your mind, ask for advice, or just have a chit-chat!

You're welcome to join for as long as you like; don’t feel you have to stay for two hours. And if you just want to listen in and aren’t feeling up to joining in yet, that’s OK! You can let them know when you sign up.

There is another group for family members, partners and friends of those diagnosed. It is free to join (booking is required). You can register for this separate group here.

The Ovacome Under 45s Group

Being told you have cancer at any age can come as a huge shock, but perhaps even more so at a young age. There is a lot to come to terms with, and it can feel like you are the only one your age dealing with a cancer diagnosis. But you are not alone. Over 1,000 young women each year develop ovarian cancer.

The Ovacome Under 45s Group is free for anyone diagnosed with ovarian cancer before the age of 45 (you are welcome to join if you are now over this age). They meet virtually from 5-7 pm on the first Wednesday of the month. You can register here.

Perhaps you haven’t experienced receiving medical treatment for a complex condition like cancer before. You might be feeling anxious or concerned about how your cancer could affect your day-to-day life, work, and relationships. These worries are all completely normal.

Ovacome offers resources and support for younger people with ovarian cancer. You might also like to have a look at the personal stories section of the website, which includes the stories of younger people living with an ovarian cancer diagnosis. You can find more information and resources on the Ovacome under 45'

That's it for this week, see you on the 26th of May...