PRESS RELEASE – 16 March 2010

Macmillan Cancer Support & Hereford Hospitals welcomes Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are being highlighted by a leading charity in Herefordshire and Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust as part of an annual awareness raising drive. During ovarian cancer awareness month, Macmillan Cancer Support is encouraging women to go to their doctor if they notice any regular symptoms associated with the disease. Symptoms can include persistent pelvic and abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen and bloating, difficulty eating and feeling full quickly. Gynaecology Nurse Specialist, Jenny Subak-Sharpe, based at Hereford Hospitals said: “It is important that if you develop any of these symptoms and they occur on a regular basis, you get them checked by your doctor. “Do remember many of these symptoms are common to other conditions so experiencing them does not mean you have cancer. However, if they persist then it is important that they are checked appropriately. The earlier any cancer is diagnosed, the greater chance there is of survival.” Around 6600 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. It is most common in women over 50, but can affect all ages. Women should also alert their doctor if there are two or more cases of ovarian or breast cancer in their family as ovarian cancer can sometimes run in families. Macmillan is also using ovarian cancer awareness month to highlight its online interactive software program OPERA (Online Personal Education and Risk Assessment). This tool, which is available via Macmillan’s website, gives personalised information of someone’s risk of inherited breast and ovarian cancer. Stephen Richards, Regional Director for Macmillan, said: “Many people worry that they are at a greater than average risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer because of their family history. In fact, to develop cancer because of an inherited faulty gene is quite rare and many people worry unnecessarily about this.

Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust

“OPERA can provide reassurance to people who are worried about their family history of cancer. It also signposts users to where they can go to get further advice.” To find out more about ovarian cancer and the OPERA online tool, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 808 0000.

ENDS

Notes re Ovarian Cancer: The ovaries are two small, oval-shaped organs that are found in the pelvis area of the body. They are part of the female reproductive system. Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include the following:

• loss of appetite or difficulty eating and feeling full • persistent vague indigestion, nausea, excessive gas (wind) and a bloated,

full feeling • unexplained changes in weight and swelling in the abdomen • pain in the lower abdomen or back • changes in bowel or bladder habits, such as constipation, diarrhoea or

needing to pass urine more often • pain during sex • abnormal vaginal bleeding, although this is rare.

The causes of ovarian cancer are not yet completely understood. The risk of developing ovarian cancer is very low in young women and increases as women get older. Over eight out of ten (85 per cent) ovarian cancers occur in women over the age of 50. Most ovarian cancers occur in women who have had their menopause.

Developing cancer because of an inherited faulty gene is quite rare and many people worry unnecessarily about this. Only between five and ten per cent of

cancers (or less than ten out of 100 cases) are thought to be clearly linked to an inherited faulty gene.

Women who are worried that they may have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, because of cancer in their family, can be referred to a genetic counseling clinic. Ask your GP or your local Macmillan information service for further details.

Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the UK.

In the UK the risk of a woman developing cancer of the ovary before the age of 70 years is about 1 in 70 (about 1.5 per cent). Around 90 per cent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are over the age of 45, though it can occur in younger women. OPERA (the Online Personal Education and Risk Assessment tool) has been carefully piloted and tested to ensure that all information it provides is accurate and relevant to the individual using the program. People can access OPERA at www.macmillan.org.uk/genetics OPERA will ask you a number of questions about your personal and family history of breast and ovarian cancer, before giving a tailored personal assessment on the basis of the answers given. The program also gives details of websites and other sources of information and support which people can access.

END

Notes to editor:

• Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust is the main provider of acute services across Herefordshire and parts of Wales.

• The Trust has an annual turnover of c.£118 million and employs almost 1,800 staff.

• It has established itself as a leading centre for acute care in the area, providing a wide range of services including Accident and Emergency, Cancer Care, Day case and routine surgery, Emergency in-patient medical care, Maternity services, Outpatient Clinics, and Paediatrics.

• The Trust’s application for Foundation Trust status has been suspended pending the outcome of the work of the NHS in Herefordshire and the County Council on how health and social services within the county should be organised and managed.

For further information please contact:

Nicola Licence, Company Secretary, Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust: 01432 355444 ext. 5210 or Fiona Barton, Communications Assistant 01432 355 444 ext. 5105

For further information about Macmillan Cancer Support, please contact: Sarah Grout, Fundraising Manager, Macmillan Cancer Support: Tel: 01432 343030 or email: sgrout@macmillan.org.uk