Women in Jersey are being urged to know the five main symptoms of ovarian cancer

To mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a campaign is highlighting the potential signs of the disease.

One woman is diagnosed every month in Jersey, but because there aren't any effective screening methods, it's estimated that around 9 in 10 women don't know the symptoms.

Dr Fiona Nelson features in a social media video explaining what to look out for:

The five main symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

· abdominal pain

· bloating or a swollen abdomen

· loss of appetite

· feeling full more quickly

· needing to pass urine more frequently

Other symptoms might also include back pain, changes in bowel habits, and extreme tiredness for no obvious reason.

Dr Nelson says anyone experiencing these symptoms 12 times or more in one month should visit their GP:

“The earlier ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the better the outcomes. That’s why it’s important that we all know the symptoms to look out for and that you act quickly if you’re experiencing symptoms that are persistent, severe, frequent or out of the ordinary for you. If you’re having these symptoms 12 or more times in one month you should visit your GP, who can arrange further investigations, especially if you’re over the age of 50.

Ovarian cancer symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, so if you’re experiencing them, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have ovarian cancer. It can be useful to keep a record of what symptoms you are experiencing and have your notes to hand when you speak to your doctor.

The most important thing we can all do to raise awareness of ovarian cancer is to understand the symptoms and share this information with our loved ones.”