Nine women diagnosed with ovarian and peritoneal cancer in last year

March marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

March marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Manx Care is advising women 'if it's not normal then get it checked'. 

It's the fifth most common cancer in women with one in 50 in the UK diagnosed with it. 

Last year there were nine diagnoses of cancers of the ovary and peritoneum recorded on the Somerset Cancer Register for the Isle of Man.

Symptoms

Initial symptoms include: 

• Persistent bloating (12 times or more in a month)
• Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite 
• Pelvic or abdominal pain or tenderness
• Frequent urination with more urgency

Other symptoms may also include:

• Changes in bowel habit 
• Extreme fatigue
• Unplanned weight loss
• Unusual bleeding from the vagina before or after menopause

'The Silent Killer'

Cat Tracy is the Macmillian Gynaecology Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at Manx Care.

She told Manx Radio, in most cases, women are diagnosed after menopause however younger females can also get the disease as it's genetic.

She's labelled ovarian cancer the 'silent killer':

Support

Anyone with concerns is welcome to contact Cat Tracy, or her colleagues, by calling 651166.