You might have seen our Peace of Mind campaign on social media, or heard us on the local radio. At the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance, we are raising awareness of the early signs of cancer, and empowering people to see their GP without delay if they are experiencing these symptoms.
This ‘Peace of Mind’ approach shifts the focus from fearing the worst to understanding that seeing your GP promptly could provide information and answers that ease your worries. It assures people that even if the outcome is a cancer diagnosis, catching it early is better than waiting. Together, we're striving for peace of mind, knowing we're taking proactive steps to keep everyone healthy.
Read more about the Peace of Mind campaign here.
Around 7,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK each year. This makes ovarian cancer the 6th most common cancer in women*. There are different types of ovarian cancer and this depends on the type of cell the cancer started in.
The ovaries are two small organs that store the eggs needed to make babies. Ovarian cancer is when abnormal cells in the ovary begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, eventually forming a growth (tumour). If ovarian cancer isn’t caught early, cancer cells gradually grow into the surrounding tissues and may spread to other areas of the body.
Sometimes ovarian cancer runs in families, and it mostly affects women over the age of 50. It is important to note this cancer can affect anyone who has or who has had ovaries, even if you have had your ovaries removed because it can also affect your fallopian tubes, or the lining inside your tummy (peritoneum).
More details on ovarian cancer can be found below.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer include frequently (roughly 12 or more times a month) having:
Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:
It’s important to go and get any symptoms checked with your GP, even if you have had surgery to remove your ovaries. You may have another condition with similar symptoms.
Many of the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are common, such as bloating, and so may be caused by other conditions. For this reason, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage.
This campaign seeks to normalise people going to their GP if they notice anything unusual to them for a ‘Peace of Mind’ check.
If it is cancer, discovering it early, when it isn’t too large and hasn’t spread, improves the chances of successful treatment - finding cancer early helps save lives.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, or notice anything unusual for you, please don't hesitate to see your GP or practice nurse, even if you're concerned about what your symptoms might be.
Keep persisting to secure an appointment, as addressing your worry is crucial and unlikely to go away without seeking professional help.
Conversations with your GP are confidential, and you should not be embarrassed to share your symptoms with them – they are used to discussing intimate problems and will try to put you at ease.
During your appointment, the GP or practice nurse will inquire about your health and any symptoms you may be experiencing, including whether anyone in your family has had ovarian or breast cancer. Depending on the situation, they may request to conduct an examination. If you prefer, you can request a female doctor or nurse when scheduling your appointment. Additionally, you have the option to bring a friend or family member for support, or you can ask the practice for a chaperone to accompany you during the examination. During the examination, you will be asked to undress from the waist down behind a screen, and you'll be provided with a sheet for privacy.
The examination may involve:
The GP or practice nurse may refer you for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if they think you have a condition that needs to be investigated.
This may be an urgent referral, usually within 2 weeks. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.
Find out more information and tips about seeing your GP on CRUK’s website here: Cancer Research UK: seeing a GP about symptoms of ovarian cancer
The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age, with more than half of all cases in the UK in women aged 65 and over. Anyone with ovaries can get ovarian cancer.
You may have a higher chance of getting ovarian cancer if you:
You cannot always prevent ovarian cancer but there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting it. These include:
If you’re experiencing symptoms of ovarian cancer, make an appointment with your GP to get Peace of Mind.
For more information about ovarian cancer, including tests and treatment for ovarian cancer, visit the following websites:
* Statistics and information taken from Cancer Research UK and NHS England
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