March marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
An Isle of Man woman who has been receiving treatment for ovarian cancer is urging women who believe they may also have it to advocate for themselves.
March marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and it's the fifth most common cancer in women, with one in 50 in the UK diagnosed with it.
Sarah Jarvis, who found out about it in May 2023 says it's difficult to detect it as initial tests won't pick up the form of cancer, but symptoms will be able to give medical professionals a clue of what it could be.
Joined by her consultant, Tony Stock, they spoke to Chanelle Sukhoo about how vital it is for women on the Island to listen to their bodies and go through with their screenings:
Symptoms
Initial symptoms include:
- Persistent bloating (12 times or more in a month)
- Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite
- Pelvic or abdominal pain or tenderness
- Frequent urination with more urgency
Other symptoms may also include:
- Changes in bowel habit
- Extreme fatigue
- Unplanned weight loss
- Unusual bleeding from the vagina before or after menopause
You can listen to the full interview at Manx Newscasts: