Northamptonshire healthcare organisation backs World Ovarian Cancer Day

The Nene Clinical Commissioning Group is supporting World Ovarian Cancer Day on May 8.

The organisation, which is responsible for the majority of the local healthcare budget for most of Northamptonshire, is backing the awareness day for the fifth most common cancer affecting women.

In the UK, around 7,100 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. It is most common in women who have been through the menopause (usually over the age of 50), although it can affect women of any age.

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Many of the symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar to those of other conditions making it sometimes difficult to recognise. However, there are early symptoms to look out for, such as persistent bloating, pain in the pelvis and lower stomach, and difficulty eating.

Dr Naomi Caldwell said: “The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but certain things are thought to increase a woman’s risk of developing the condition, such as age and whether someone in your family has had ovarian or breast cancer in the past. However, only 1 in 10 cases of ovarian cancer has a genetic link.”

“If anyone experiences any of the symptoms listed then they should contact their GP, particularly if these symptoms have persisted over a long period of time.”

Screening for ovarian cancer is currently only available for women who are at high risk of developing the condition due to a strong family history or inheritance of a particular faulty gene.

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