Raising awareness of ovarian cancer

I've shown my super-powered support for women with ovarian cancer across Glasgow East at a special event hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ovarian Cancer on Wednesday 2 March.

MPs were given the chance to dress as 'teal heroes' to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer at an event organised for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March.

Teal is the colour of ovarian cancer awareness, which continues to be alarmingly low in the UK. Data from Target Ovarian Cancer, which provides the secretariat for the APPG, shows just one in five women can name bloating as one of the key symptoms of the disease.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Persistent bloated tummy
• Always feeling full
• Tummy pain
• Needing to wee more often or more urgently

Other symptoms can include unexpected weight loss, change in bowel habits, and extreme fatigue.

If you regularly experience any of these symptoms, which are not normal for you, it is important that you see your GP. It is unlikely that your symptoms are caused by a serious problem, but it is important to be checked out.

Over 4,000 women in the UK die of ovarian cancer each year, and awareness of the key symptoms remains too low. We must come together and act now to make sure everyone knows what look out for, and that those affected by ovarian cancer face better outcomes. That's why I was delighted to join others and take part in this year's Teal Hero event with Target Ovarian Cancer to create positive progress.

Over 7,000 women are diagnosed each year in the UK, and over 4,000 women lose their lives each year. Target Ovarian Cancer works to raise the profile of ovarian cancer, spread the word about the symptoms, and train GPs in early diagnosis.

Visit targetovariancancer.org.uk to find out more.