Two local charities have teamed up to tackle ovarian cancer rates in Cumbria.
Latest figures from North West Cancer Research showed that ovarian cancer is higher than average in the majority of the region, with prevalence in Cumbria a 22% above the norm.
The Dianne Oxberry Trust and North West Cancer Research are uniting to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer to improve early diagnosis.
Jo Rosenberg, chair of the Dianne Oxberry Trust, a charity set up following the death of the broadcaster of ovarian cancer, said: “Our charity, like North West Cancer Research, is focused on improving and saving lives right here in our local area.
“We’re about keeping families together for longer – knowing first-hand the devastating impact ovarian cancer can have on them.
“We think the unacceptable inequalities in ovarian cancer prevalence in Cumbria need to be urgently addressed. This is more than just statistics. This is real people’s lives.
“The reasons for these inequalities are many and it’s obviously a complex landscape, but if diagnosed in its earliest stages, more than 90 per cent of people with ovarian cancer survive for at least five years. But, sadly many of the symptoms go unnoticed and can lead to diagnosis being made too late.
“That’s what happened with my good friend Dianne. She was doing a walk for BBC Children in Need in November, felt ill a few weeks later, and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in A&E on New Year’s Eve.
“She died just 10 days later and as her friends and family, we vowed to make a difference and try and stop others going through the same tragedy with their loved ones that we experienced.”
Representatives from North West Cancer Research and the Dianne Oxberry Trust will be heading to locations in Cumbria to raise awareness of the symptoms to look out for.
The first locations you can visit the team at are:
- Keswick Market, Market Square, Keswick, on Thursday May 7 between 10am and 4pm.
- Lakeland in Windermere on Sunday May 10 between 10am and 1.30pm.
- Booths, Victoria Street, Windermere, on Sunday May 10 between 1.30pm and 4pm.
People will be able to chat about the symptoms and signs to look out for, pick up branded items with helpful reminders, and pledge to continue spreading the word with those closest to them too.
Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, said: “The figures for Cumbria are deeply concerning.
“We know that communities in Cumbria face real challenges. The rural nature of the county means people can be far from services, and symptoms that might seem minor or unrelated can be too easily dismissed or go unchecked.
“Ovarian cancer can be difficult to spot early and symptoms can be easily attributed to other causes. That combination of factors means that, far too often, diagnosis comes too late.
“That is why this partnership with the Dianne Oxberry Trust matters so much. By going directly into the communities that need this information most, we hope to make a real difference. If we can help more people in Cumbria know what to look out for and feel confident speaking to their GP, we can help save lives.”
Key symptoms of ovarian cancer can include weeing more often, overly bloated feeling, reduced appetite or feeling fuller for longer, and a dull ache in the pelvis or tummy. Many of the signs and symptoms can be attributed to many other reasons, so the charities are urging local people not to worry, but to listen to their body and see their GP if they notice them occurring.
