Ovarian cancer confusion highlighted during March for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

• March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
• Over 5 million UK women could mistakenly believe a smear test can detect ovarian cancer.¹
• There is no screening programme for ovarian cancer, and awareness of the symptoms is key.

One in five women (22 per cent) mistakenly believes cervical screening (a smear test) can detect ovarian cancer, according to research carried out by Target Ovarian Cancer and YouGov.² This could put women at increased risk of a late diagnosis of ovarian cancer, the UK’s deadliest gynaecological cancer.³

Confusion and lack of awareness means many women are at risk of assuming they are ‘protected’ from ovarian cancer and writing off symptoms of ovarian cancer when they experience them. This could lead to a late diagnosis, when ovarian cancer is harder to treat.⁴

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and Target Ovarian Cancer is working to raise awareness of the symptoms. 11 women die every day from ovarian cancer, so it is essential for women to know the symptoms to look out for.⁵  

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Persistent bloating
• Feeling full quickly and/or loss of appetite
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Urinary symptoms

Other symptoms can include unexpected weight loss, a change in bowel habits and extreme fatigue. Anyone experiencing these symptoms, which are not normal for them, should see their GP.

Target Ovarian Cancer works to improve early diagnosis, fund life-saving research and provide much-needed support to women with ovarian cancer. March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Sign up now to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. Visit www.targetovariancancer.org.uk/March

You can also watch Target Ovarian Cancer’s new symptoms video to find out more (https://youtu.be/bBQrgYiKvN0).

The research

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Survey conducted using YouGov to ask 1070 women across their UK. The survey ran from 8 – 11 February 2019 and was carried out online.

References

1. Based on Office for National Statistics population estimate for adult women (26,651,946 in 2017). Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland
2. One in five women (22 per cent) mistakenly believes cervical screening can detect ovarian cancer. Target Ovarian Cancer and YouGov, 2019
3. More women die from ovarian cancer each year in the UK (4,227) than all other gynaecological cancers combined (uterine – 2,360, vulval – 460, vaginal – 100, cervical – 854). Cancer Research UK website. Available at: cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics
4. One in every five women (20 per cent) in England is too ill to treat by the time they receive their ovarian cancer diagnosis. Target Ovarian Cancer (2018) Data briefing on ovarian cancer, from Public Health England’s Get Data Out project. Available at targetovariancancer.org.uk/sites/default/files/News/Data%20briefing%20on%20ovarian%20cancer%20December%202018.pdf
5. 11 women die every day from ovarian cancer. Cancer Research UK website. Available at: cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/ovarian-cancer/mortality#heading-Zero