By Annette Campbell
Every year, nearly 1200 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and nearly 800 die from the disease, the sixth most common cause of cancer death in women.
Although about 75 percent of women diagnosed will be at an advanced stage, where the cancer has spread and is very difficult to treat, when it’s diagnosed at an early stage the outlook is very good, with as many as 90 percent of patients being cured.
This is the message the National Ovarian Cancer Network (OvCa) is keen to get out during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week (February 27 to March 5). So they’ve created Girlfriend’s Catch-up and Check-up Week to build awareness of the risks of ovarian cancer.
Nicole Livingstone, Olympic swimmer and co-founder of OvCa, who lost her mother, says she and her sister Karen regularly catch up and check-up, because they know of the seriousness of the condition and their family history.
“Catch-up and Check-up Week is designed to educate women about ovarian cancer so they can be more conscious of the early symptoms and understand what action they should take,” Nicole says.
“We don’t want women to panic, but women must be vigilant. Early detection is the key to prevent unnecessary suffering.”
Who’s most at risk?
Women who:
Have a history of cancer in the family, especially ovarian, bowel or breast cancer.
Are over 45, as the risk of ovarian cancer increases with age.
Have never taken the contraceptive pill.
Have had few or no pregnancies.
Have endometriosis.
What are the symptoms?
Pain or discomfort in stomach or pelvic area.
Vague but persistent stomach upsets such as wind, nausea, heartburn or indigestion.
Constipation.
Bloating, swelling and a feeling of fullness in your stomach.
Unexplained weight gain (you suddenly look like you’re pregnant).
Losing your appetite or losing weight for no obvious reason.
What’s on?
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week is an initiative of the National Ovarian Cancer Network (OvCa).
Girlfriend’s Catch-up and Check-up Week (February 27-March 5), urges women to catch up with their girlfriends and encourage one another to include a check-up for ovarian cancer next time they are at their GP.
Ring the bell for awareness
Purchase a bell key ring for $5 from selected Chemmart pharmacies. All proceeds go to OvCa Australia, promoting ovarian cancer awareness and supporting patients.
For more information, visit the OvCa website: www.ovca.org or phone them on: 1300 660 334.
Picture posed by models.
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