Featured In: The Coalville Times, Friday, 4th March, 2022

HEALTH MATTERS WITH DR HANNA ROBBINS

March - Ovarian cancer awareness month

THE ovaries are two small internal organs which sit low in the tummy area in the part called the pelvis. They store a woman’s sup- ply of eggs and are involved in the monthly cycle of women’s hormones. Each month an egg is released from one of the ovaries.

What is Ovarian Cancer?

• When cancer develops in an ovary
• It’s the 6th most common cancer in women
• Ovarian cancer survival is improving all the time
• A good outlook depends on spotting the signs early and getting medical help.

Who get Ovarian Cancer?

• Ovarian cancer can affect any woman. But it is more often seen in
• women over the age of 50 years
• especially women over the age of 75
• women who have had breast cancer in the past
• when a close relative like a sister has had ovarian cancer
• when two or more close relatives have had breast or ovarian cancer

Other risk factors

• diabetes
• being overweight
• smoking
• contact with asbestos
• HRT – the risk is small, talk to your GP surgery about the risks and benefits espe- cially if you are 60 or over

Spotting The Signs Early

See your GP surgery if you notice these more than 3 times a week over the course of a month:

• Feeling full quickly
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in your belly that doesn’t go away
• Bloating or noticing your belly has got larger
• Needing to wee more often
• Unexplained tiredness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes in your bowel habit, especially after the age of 50

These will not usually mean you have cancer, but if you notice any of these that are not normal for you, it’s best to get them checked out.

Next week: How can I reduce my risk? And what next?

For more information: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about- cancer/ovarian-cancer