Ovarian cancer awareness programme launched | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Ovarian cancer awareness programme launched

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched an ovarian cancer awareness programme which will see leaflets and posters distributed across Northern Ireland to highlight the signs and symptoms of the illness.

The programme is being launched in partnership with Target Ovarian Cancer and Angels of Hope.

Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said, “Cancer of the ovary affects over 150 women each year and is more common in women over the age of 50.

“Too often it is diagnosed late, when treatment options may be limited. We would like women to be aware of the early symptoms and to see their doctor if these occur. The earlier a woman with ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the more likely she is to have a better outcome.”

If you are over 50, the early symptoms to look out for include:

• persistent bloating for three weeks or more;
• persistent pelvic and abdominal pain;
• difficulty eating or feeling full quickly;
• needing to pee urgently or more frequently than normal;
• changes in bowel habit;
• extreme fatigue (feeling very tired);
• unexplained weight loss.

The leaflets and posters will be distributed to hairdressing salons, bingo halls, pharmacies and GP practices throughout Northern Ireland. They aim to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms, in particular among women over the age of 50, and encourage women to speak to their GP if they experience any of them.

The ovarian cancer leaflets and posters are part of a broader cancer awareness campaign being taken forward by the PHA and due to be formally launched early next year. The campaign will aim to increase awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage people to seek help when they notice any of them.

The ovarian cancer leaflet is available at www.bit.ly/ovarleaflet

The poster is available at www.bit.ly/ovarpost

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Posted by on Sep 23 2014. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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