Beat ovarian cancer: Know the symptoms

90% of women don't know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, despite it being the UK's 5th biggest female cancer, according to research.

Ovarian cancer charity Ovacome surveyed 100 women with ovarian cancer and also found that one in three of them hadn't even heard of the disease.

Ovarian cancer is sometimes nicknamed the 'silent killer' - but the symptoms do exist, it's just that they're not very well known.

Ovacome have launched their BEAT campaign to help you remember the symptoms:

B - Bloating: persistent bloating that doesn't come and go (and is present on at least 12 days per month)
E - Eating less: Difficulty eating and feeling full more quickly than you used to
A - Abdominal and pelvic pain that you feel most days
T - Talking: Tell your GP

If you experience any of these symptoms frequently (and that's not normal for you), see your GP. It can run in families, so let your doctor know if there are two or more cases of ovarian or breast cancer in your close family.

Remember, ovarian cancer is rare - so don't panic if you're experiencing some of these symptoms. It's likely that something else is causing them, but it's important to get ovarian cancer ruled out.

Ovacome Chief Executive, Louise Bayne, said: 'In the last 20 years, there has been a transformation in the way ovarian cancer is treated - but public awareness of the symptoms has not kept up with this medical progress.

'Women are becoming more aware of other common female cancers and how to spot them - but ovarian cancer has been left behind.'

To donate to Ovacome call 020 7299 6654, or visit their website - ovacome.org.uk

Where to next?

- Karen's story: I won't let ovarian cancer beat me!
- A medical explanation of ovarian cancer from Patient UK