March marks the start of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month - a disease that kills around a third of women in the first year after diagnosis.
This form of cancer is often diagnosed in the late stages with around 7,500 new ovarian cancer cases recorded in the UK every year.
It may seem like we don't need an awareness month dedicated to cancer because many people know what it is, but truthfully many people don't know the symptoms and there are many forms that people are not aware of.
One symptom of ovarian cancer is bloating - though this is often brushed off as 'eating too much' or 'typical and common women problems'.
A leading charity has also warned that GPs are often guilty of dismissing this symptom and thus sending away patients with pills and to 'just get on with it'.
A poll of one thousand women for Target Ovarian Cancer found that 79 per cent did not know that bloating is a symptom while 68 per cent were unaware abdominal pain is a sign and 97 per cent were unaware that feeling full is another.
Most women (99 per cent) did not know that needing to pee more urgently is also a sign whilst evidence suggests women can often be told their symptoms are more a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
In addition to these shocking statistics, 40 per cent of women also incorrectly believe that ovarian cancer can be picked up by screening for cervical cancer, the survey found.
Annwen Jones, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: "These figures are incredibly disappointing. We know we’ve shifted the dial in the past 10 years through the dedication of thousands of Target Ovarian Cancer’s campaigners, but it is not enough.
"Knowing the symptoms is crucial for everyone. We need to make sustained and large-scale Government-backed symptoms campaigns a reality.
"Progress is possible. If we do this, fewer people will be diagnosed late, fewer will need invasive treatment, and, ultimately, fewer will die needlessly from ovarian cancer."
Katy Stephenson, 47, who was diagnosed with early-stage ovarian cancer in 2021 said she has been experiencing bloating and the need to pee more urgently for a few months but put it down to being peri-menopausal.
She explained: "I had a fluke diagnosis when I was admitted to hospital with appendicitis. If that hadn’t happened, the cancer probably would have spread, and I hate to think about what would have happened.
"I was actually told that I wouldn’t have symptoms in the early stages of ovarian cancer – but I did. I want everyone to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
"The only person that will catch them is you, so be aware of your own body, speak to a GP, and don’t be afraid to mention ovarian cancer if you’re worried."
Dr Victoria Barber, GP and advocate for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the primary care community, said: "Symptoms do appear early on in ovarian cancer, and your GP wants to hear from you if you’re experiencing any of them, if they are new for you and if they do not go away.
"Similarly, it’s vital that GPs are knowledgeable on ovarian cancer and know how to advise patients who have concerns. Target Ovarian Cancer has a GP education programme that can help you do this."
Target Ovarian Cancer is urging women to sign open letters to the Government by visiting https://campaign.targetovariancancer.org.uk/page/97923/petition/1
