Mum fights ovarian cancer

A woman who’s battling ovarian cancer is determined not to give up her fight and raise awareness of the disease.

It's ovarian cancer awareness month and Ovarian Cancer Action has launched its latest symptoms awareness campaign.

Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women - two thirds of those diagnosed will die from the diesease.

BUT  If found in the early stages, 70% of women will survive.

47 year old Debbie Taaffe from Noctorum on the Wirral  was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 9 months ago.

Debbie spoke to Heart about her battle with cancer: Listen here:

The symptoms are:

- Persistent pelvic and tummy pain

- Increased abdominal size / persistent bloating - not bloating that comes and goes.

- Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly.

Occasionally other symptoms such as urinary symptoms, changes in bowel habit, extreme fatigue or back pain may also be experienced on their own or at the same time as those listed above.

We have a symptoms diary at www.ovarian.org.uk which women can take to their GP if they feel they need a bit of back up in asking to be tested for ovarian cancer.