750 women in Wales have come together today to demand that the Welsh government take immediate action on the awareness crisis in ovarian cancer by funding a national campaign focusing on the symptoms of the disease.
This afternoon, members of the WI, campaigners from Target Ovarian Cancer and those affected by ovarian cancer handed in the 750 signature strong petition at the Senedd.
49-year-old Amanda Davies, from Pembrokeshire, got involved in the campaign to urge the government to prioritise this area of women’s health after her own diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She said:
“I had bloating and abdominal pain, two of the key symptoms, but there were some symptoms I didn’t know. I never put the symptoms altogether, despite knowing my Nan died of ovarian cancer… I wonder if there had been an awareness campaign, listing the symptoms and sharing the experiences of women of all different ages whether I would’ve put it all together.”
Chief Executive at Target Ovarian Cancer, Annwen Jones OBE, said:
“As there is currently no ovarian cancer screening programme, symptoms awareness is all the more crucial… A government funded awareness campaign listing the symptoms of persistent bloating, abdominal pain, needing to wee more often and feeling full quickly, would address our concerns, increase the number of women diagnosed at an early stage and ultimately the chances of survival.”
Below is the press release with further details. If you would like to request an interview with Amanda, or someone from Target Ovarian Cancer, then please let me know.
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