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27 February 2006
Women urged to get to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week: 27 February – 5 March
Australian women are being urged to get to know the symptoms that may be ovarian cancer during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week.
Each year about 1200 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia. More than half of these women will not survive five years after their diagnosis.
The disease is very difficult to detect in its early stages because of its vague symptoms. For this reason, seven out of ten women with ovarian cancer will be diagnosed at an advanced stage, where the cancer has spread and is very difficult to treat successfully.
Director of the National Breast Cancer Centre, which incorporates the Ovarian Cancer Program, Dr Helen Zorbas said Australian women should see their GP about any unusual or persistent changes in their bodies.
The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
- Abdominal bloating
- Appetite loss or feeling full
- Unexplained weight gain
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Back pain
- Changes in urinary frequency
- Fatigue
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
“If a woman is experiencing one or more of these symptoms and knows it is unusual for her, she should see her GP and raise the question of ovarian cancer,” said Dr Zorbas.
The National Breast Cancer Centre’s Ovarian Cancer Program recently developed a comprehensive guide for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer providing clear and concise information, personal perspectives from women with the disease and suggested questions to ask your doctor.
A fact sheet about ovarian cancer is available at: www.ovariancancerprogram.org.au
The National Breast Cancer Centre is funded by the Australian Government and works with women, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and governments to improve health outcomes for women with breast and ovarian cancer.
Media contact: Bree Stevens 0438 209 833
www.nbcc.org.au www.ovariancancerprogram.org.au
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