DO YOU know the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Dorset charity GO Girls has launched a campaign to mark the start of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this March.

It’s called the ABDO code – standing for abdominal pain, bloating or feeling full quickly, disturbed bowel and organise an appointment with your GP, which are the symptoms and steps you should follow.

Hilary Maxwell, chair of the GO Girls! and gynae-oncology clinical nurse specialist at Dorset County Hospital said: "More than 7,300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK each year and 4,100 women are dying annually from the disease - this equates to 11 women a day. It's vital all women make themselves aware of the ABDO Code and share this with all their friends.

We would like all GPs to listen carefully to reported symptoms and refer early - we know earlier diagnosis could help save lives and we must create change."

Teresa Wolff, vice chair of the GO Girls said: "We have lost far too many GO Girls this year to ovarian cancer and this sad trend will only continue unless women are fully aware of the symptoms and report them early. This leaves husbands without wives, daughters without mothers - and all too often women are taken far too early. Women also believe that the BRCA gene mutation is only passed down the female line, but this is not always the case - it might come from your dad."

Hilary added: "Effective screening has to be the way forward. Unfortunately, this doesn't exist nationally. Until we have such a programme, knowing the ABDO Code will allow women to be aware of the symptoms and act promptly."

"It's a simple acronym everyone can remember."

GO Girls are currently raising £25,000 to support the Dorset Cancer Appeal so all women with gynae cancers have access to a counselling suite in the new build.

Full article available here.