‘DON’T BE SCARED TO TALK TO YOUR GP’

Rachel Mugnai is a lead nurse adviser with charity Target Ovarian Cancer. She says: ‘There are 41,000 people living with ovarian cancer in the UK. This March, we’re putting ovarian cancer in the spotlight to help improve early diagnosis and make sure more people get the treatment and support they need.

‘We’re encouraging everyone to get involved by raising awareness, fundraising, donating, or connecting with others – whatever you do will help save lives and provide muchneeded support.

‘If you have any of the symptoms, they are new for you and continue for three weeks or more, then it’s time to take control and speak to a GP.

‘It’s useful to be prepared for the appointment: make some notes, perhaps keep a diary and track your symptoms. Don’t be scared to tell the GP you’re worried about ovarian cancer. ‘Sometimes symptoms are put down to things like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bladder infections (UTIS), getting older or being menopausal. But a new IBS diagnosis is extremely uncommon in women over 50, so if you’re that age and the GP mentions IBS, always question it. In fact, if you are over 50 and the GP suspects IBS, they should also be sending you for ovariancancer tests to make sure nothing is being missed.’