ARGYLL & BUTE MP BECOMES A TEAL HERO IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN WITH OVARIAN CANCER

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Brendan O’Hara, MP has shown his super-powered support for women with ovarian cancer across Argyll & Bute at a special event hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ovarian Cancer on 20 March.

MPs were given the chance to dress as ‘teal heroes’ to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer at an event organised for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Teal is the colour of ovarian cancer awareness, which is alarmingly low in the UK. Data from Target Ovarian Cancer, which provides the secretariat for the APPG, shows just one in five women can name bloating as one of the key symptoms of the disease. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Persistent bloating- not bloating that comes and goes

• Feeling full or loss of appetite

• Tummy pain

• Needing to wee more often or more urgently

Brendan O’Hara MP said: Too many women die of ovarian cancer. We all have to act to ensure that more women know the symptoms to look out for, are diagnosed sooner and get the treatment they need. That’s why I was delighted to take part in this year’s Teal Hero event to support women with ovarian cancer and their families.

Sharon Hodgson MP, Chair of the APPG on Ovarian Cancer, said: “I’m proud to become a Teal Hero today to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and help more women get an early diagnosis. Knowing the symptoms of ovarian cancer is vital, not only for women of all ages, but also for healthcare professionals.”

Annwen Jones, Chief Executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “It’s been fantastic to see MPs become awareness superheroes today. We all know that much more needs to be done to see the improvements in diagnosis and survival that women with ovarian cancer and their families deserve.

We look forward to working with these MPs to transform the futures of women with ovarian cancer.”

Ovarian cancer can be devastating. Every year 7,300 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK, and 4,100 women die from the disease. Target Ovarian Cancer works to raise the profile of ovarian cancer, spread the word about the symptoms, and train GPs in early diagnosis. Visit targetovariancancer.org.uk to find out more.

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Notes to Editors

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For more information contact Target Ovarian Cancer’s Press Office on press.office@targetovariancancer.org.uk or 020 7923 5476

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ovarian Cancer was established in 2010 to facilitate greater understanding and awareness of ovarian cancer among parliamentarians. The secretariat is provided by Target Ovarian Cancer.

The purpose of the APPG is:

– To provide a forum for MPs and Peers to discuss ovarian cancer related issues

– To raise areas of concern with government or other policy makers

– To raise the profile of ovarian cancer within parliament

– To seek opportunities to help improve survival and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer

Target Ovarian Cancer is the UK’s leading ovarian cancer charity. We work to improve early diagnosis, fund life-saving research and provide much-needed support to women with ovarian cancer.

www.targetovariancancer.org.uk

Twitter: @TargetOvarian / Facebook: TargetOvarianCancer / YouTube: TargetOvarianCancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are frequent (they usually happen more than 12 times a month) and persistent, and include:

• Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating

• Difficulty eating/feeling full

• Pelvic or abdominal pain

• Needing to wee more urgently or more often

Other symptoms can include unexpected weight loss, change in bowel habits, and extreme fatigue.

If you regularly experience any of these symptoms, which are not normal for you, it is important that you see your GP. It is unlikely that your symptoms are caused by a serious problem, but it is important to be checked out.

Target Ovarian Cancer is asking all editors not to use the term ‘silent killer’, as it merely reinforces perceptions that the symptoms of ovarian cancer can’t be spotted until later stages. We want to increase early diagnosis, in order to save lives, and therefore need to change these perceptions.

Target Ovarian Cancer is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (No. 6619981). Registered office: 2 Angel Gate, London, EC1V 2PT. Registered charity numbers 1125038 (England and Wales) and SCO42920 (Scotland).