Lack of awareness putting women at risk of deadly cancer

Almost half of women in the UK wrongly believe that cervical cancer is the most threatening gynaecological disease, research has reveal.

According to the charity Target Ovarian Cancer, only four per cent of women are confident they could recognise symptoms of ovarian cancer, which actually kills more than four times as many Brits as the cervical form.

Figures show that some 6,800 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, which has only a 30 per cent survival rate.

However, if caught at the earliest stage, up to 90 per cent of women could prevent their disease spreading and in turn respond more effectively to treatment.

To mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March, TV presenter Gaby Roslin is launching a nationwide campaign.

She said: "If you regularly have difficulty doing up your trousers and perhaps look like you could be pregnant, have persistent tummy pain and feel full or have difficulty eating, it's best to get checked out.

"They are common symptoms but when they happen on most days make your GP aware of what is happening to you."

Women are advised that cervical smears will not detect signs of ovarian cancer – a fallacy believed by almost a third of the female population.

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