Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

A Conversation on Health 

In March, our attention is drawn to the systemic presence of health inequalities affecting women in our society. As we observe Ovarian Cancer Awareness month during this time, we are once again confronted with disconcerting data related to this particular women's health concern.

Ovarian cancer can impact individuals with ovaries and fallopian tubes, encompassing women, transgender (trans) men, and people assigned female at birth .

In the UK every two hours, a woman succumbs to ovarian cancer, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. Annually, approximately 7,400 women receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer . Notably, women aged 70 and above face a significantly lower likelihood of receiving any treatment compared to their younger counterparts. These are very alarming facts, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare access and support for older women facing this disease.

Moreover, there is a noticeable disparity in the uptake of crucial genetic testing among patients from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, emphasising the need for more inclusive healthcare practices and targeted interventions to address these alarming disparities.

There is a limited understanding of the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer, and this month, several charities are actively promoting awareness on this crucial aspect. One notable example is the Target Ovarian Cancer video, which I have selected to share with you.

In an effort to combat healthcare disparities for women and improve the disproportionately low survival rates related to ovarian cancer, the women's health charity Ovarian Cancer Action initiated the Improve UK project.

This project is centred on tackling pressing issues in specific areas of the UK. For instance, it is vital to highlight the imperative of introducing prehabilitation services for women. This step aims to enhance accessibility to critical surgeries, ultimately reducing the disparity in survival rates. Moreover, there is , as already mentioned, an urgent need to amplify the adoption of genetic testing, especially within BAME communities, and to diminish the delays from diagnosis to the initiation of treatment.

If you wish to know more about ovarian cancer kindly refer to the provided links below.

As I conclude, know that you are not alone on this path to better health and wellness. Your journey is unique but together we form a community of strength and support.

Let’s thrive together,

Cristina x

https://ovarian.org.uk/ovarian-cancer/patient-hub/what-is-ovarian-cancer/

https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer/what-ovarian-cancer

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/ovarian-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors-of-ovarian-cancer