1 minute read
PERSISTENT BLOATING.
The level of awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms is devastatingly low, and not knowing what to look out for could lead to a delayed diagnosis of the deadliest gynaecological cancer. Do know the symptoms? I didn’t before I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer. I write this because we need to increase widespread awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer to help improve early diagnosis rates. Right now, just 1 in 5 women can name persistent bloating as a symptom, with only 1 in 3 contacting their GP if they experience it.
If I’d have known the symptoms, I would have seen my GP a lot earlier.
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In my situation I began to experience pain in my abdomen, similar to period pain, the summer before my diagnosis – along with needing to wee more often and changes to my bowel habits – but I just dismissed it due to my age. I never had ovarian cancer in my mind. It was initially suspected as IBS, but a CT scan and ultrasound later confirmed the cancer, which had spread.
With subsequent surgery I was delighted that all visible signs of cancer were removed. Chemotherapy started a few months afterwards and whilst it was tough, I was determined to be as positive as I could, amazing support from friends and family helping me through. After chemo finished (and due to the loss of my spleen) I now take penicillin. I’m still on this treatment today, determined to stay positive, despite the aches and pains, but maybe that’s just my age!
My own experiences have shown me that so much more needs to be done to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms in order to save lives. If diagnosed at the earliest stages, 9 out of 10 women will survive, but currently two thirds of women are diagnosed late, when the cancer is harder to treat. That’s why I want everyone to know the potential significance of the symptoms: bloating, abdominal pain, feeling full quickly and needing to wee more often
Share these symptoms with your friends and loved ones. Help to stop this disease devastating lives.
To find out more visit targetovariancancer.org.uk or to read my full story visit targetovariancancer.org.uk/stories/helens-story-0
Best wishes,
Helen Hills
