EVERY d
ay means ovarian cancer awareness raising for Norfolk’s Diane Boothby, who has taken her campaigning as far as Parliament.
Diane, from Downham Market, was treated for the disease in 2022 and has since shared her story with MPs and health chiefs as part of her drive towards a future with more awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms.
Diane is well known locally for raising funds and awareness and she spoke out ahead of World Ovarian Cancer Day on Monday 8 May.
She said: “I am on a mission to change the future for all those who might be at risk.
“From s
peaking to my local councillor and being featured in a newsletter that went to 5,500 homes, appearing on television news and awareness days at my GP practice and in the community, I know this all contributes to making progress possible.
“If diagnosed early enough, ovarian cancer can be treated, rather than be a killer. Yet I was shocked to realise that so many women don’t know the symptoms and wrongly believe it can be picked up through cervical screening.”
Diane’s cancer was confirmed after she was referred by her GP through the two-week cancer pathway.
She said: “I had been suffering with a bloated tummy, regular water infections and I couldn’t eat much at any one time. It was blamed on diverticulitis so I kept putting up with it.
“That w
as until my husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer through the NHS screening programme in August 2021. It was a shock to us both, but it made me realise I had the classic symptoms of ovarian cancer.”
Diane found help and support through the charity Target Ovarian Cancer and she told her story at the all-party Parliamentary Group on Ovarian Cancer in Westminster.
Cancer charity Macmillan says about 7,400 women are diagnosed with cancer of the ovarian cancer each year in the UK.
Symptoms include frequently (roughly 12 or more times a month) having:
· Swollen tummy or felling bloated
· Pain or tenderness in tummy or pelvis
· No appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
· Urgent need to pee or peeing more often
Other symptoms can include:
· Indigestion
· Constipation or diarrhoea
· Back pain
· Feeling tired all the time
· Losing weight without trying
· Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Dr Linda Hunter, Associate Medical Director at Norwich and Norfolk University Hospitals and Clinical Director for the East of England Cancer Alliance (North) said: “I’m delighted to see World Ovarian Cancer Day being highlighted by Diane and others as it is so important for everyone to know the symptoms.
“These type of symptoms can’t be ignored and I strongly encourage anyone who recognises them, or with concerns, to speak to their GP as soon as possible, because we know that early diagnosis is crucial.”
For further information, see: Ovarian cancer - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Details of help and support are available at: Ovarian cancer - Help and support - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Seeing your GP when you have symptoms of ovarian cancer | Cancer Research UK
Ovarian cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Target Ovarian Cancer | The ovarian cancer charity
For more information on World Ovarian Cancer Day and its campaign “No Woman Left Behind”, see Get Involved WOCD2023 – World Ovarian Cancer Coalition