March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so we’d like to take this opportunity to help raise awareness of the symptoms to look out for.

Ovarian cancer has been labelled the silent killer because many women are not aware of the symptoms associated with the disease. The signs are also very difficult to detect in the early stages, which is why a lot if women leave it so late before going to their doctor.

After breast, lung and bowel cancer, ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in women. Despite this, only 3% of women in the UK feel confident that they know what the signs and symptoms of this disease are. That number is shockingly low.

The main signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Persistent bloating and an increase in abdominal size - if you are experiencing constant bloating, not the kind that comes and goes after meals or as part of your menstrual cycle, then you should get checked out.
• Feeling full quickly or having difficulty eating with no obvious explanation
• Changes in bowel habits with no obvious explanation
• Lower back pain — this could be caused by a number of things but as always, if you are concerned then you need to go to your GP
• Extreme fatigue with no obvious explanation
• Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain — any dull aches or pains that just don’t seem to be getting better then you need to make an appointment to get checked by your GP

If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this article then you are advised to go to your GP and get checked out. It’s not worth the risk of waiting. The sad truth is that the later you leave it the harder cancer is to cure.

Sadly, over 7,000 women are diagnosed every year and there were 4,300 deaths from the disease in 2010 according to Cancer Research. The statistics are enough to scare anyone but success rates in curing ovarian cancer would increase if women were more aware of the symptoms they should be looking out for.

Ovarian Cancer and Travel Insurance

For those who are suffering from or have recovered Ovarian cancer obtaining travel insurance can become difficult as standard insurers can decline cover.

Goodtogoinsurance.com is proud to be able to provide travel insurance for all types of cancer.
Find out more about travel insurance and cancer >>