IT'S the disease that kills one woman every eight hours in Australia, with those over 50 most at risk.
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and Australians are being urged to know the signs, symptoms and risk factors of the disease, which has the lowest survival rate of any women's cancer.
This year more than 1600 women are expected to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and it's estimated more than 1000 will die from the disease.
Only 44 per cent of women diagnosed will survive five years post-diagnosis, well below the average for all cancers in Australia.
If it is found in its early stages, women have an 80 per cent chance of being alive and well after five years, although three-quarters of women are diagnosed in advanced stages, with only half of Australians knowing ovarian cancer exhibits symptoms.
Ovarian Cancer Australia urges women to get to know the signs, symptoms and risk factors to increase chances of survival.
Symptoms can include:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
- The need to urinate often
- Feeling full after eating only a small amount.
More than 90 per cent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer experience one or more of the four key symptoms.
Former Olympic swimmer Nicole Livingstone lost her mother and aunt to the disease more than a decade ago.
"I implore all Australians not to let another Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month go by without learning the signs and symptoms and asking your family members about your family history of ovarian cancer," she said. "It may just save your life or the life of someone you know."
Nicole recently had preventative surgery, having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed after genetic testing revealed she carried the BRCA2 gene.
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, which can be inherited from either parent, can increase a woman's lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer from 1 per centin the general population to about 59 per cent (BRCA1) and 17 per cent (BRCA2).
"I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders," Nicole said.
Ovarian Cancer Australia chief executive Jane Hill said people can raise awareness and funds to help the charity deliver support, advocacy and awareness programs by hosting a fundraising Afternoon Teal event, with teal being the international colour for ovarian cancer.
- You can also show your support for Ovarian Cancer Australia by buying and wearing a teal ribbon.
Teal Ribbon Day is February 28.
Ribbons are available for $3 from Terry White Chemmart pharmacies and Black Pepper stores nationally, or from www.ovariancancer.net.au
Register your Afternoon Teal event at www.afternoonteal.net.au
