Ovarian cancer remains the most challenging gynaecological cancer to treat as many people are unaware of the symptoms and this can lead to a late diagnosis, experts have warned.

The first World Ovarian Cancer Day is due to take place on May 8. The aim of this annual event will be to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms. Almost 250,000 women worldwide develop the disease every year and some 140,000 women die annually as a result.

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the ‘silent killer' because its symptoms can often be confused with other illnesses, such as gastrointestinal disorders. As a result, most patients are not diagnosed until they are in the advanced stages of the disease.

Around 70% of patients die within five years of their diagnosis. However, if caught at its earliest stage, there is a 90% survival rate.

"Currently, unlike cervical cancer, there is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. Although ovarian cancer can be a deadly disease, if it is diagnosed at the earliest stage it can be treated effectively with surgery and chemotherapy," explained Dr Matt Hewitt, a gynaecological oncologist at Cork University Hospital.

He emphasised that the disease needs to be detected earlier and to this end, ‘women and GPs need to be on the lookout for early signs and symptoms'.

Experts now believe that the combination and frequency of symptoms can help doctors to distinguish between ovarian cancer and other illnesses. They advise that if any woman suffers from one or more of the following symptoms on most days over a three-week period, they should consult a doctor:
-Problems eating or feeling full quickly
-Abdominal or pelvic pain
-Increased abdominal size or persistent bloating
-A need to urinate more frequently or more urgently.

Other symptoms of the disease can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, unexpected weight loss or gain around the abdomen and fatigue. However, these can apply to many other illnesses too.

World Ovarian Cancer Day is being promoted in Ireland by three charities - OvaCare, SOCK (Supporting Ovarian Cancer Knowledge) and the Emer Casey Foundation.

According to Rachel Ireland, co-founder of Ova Care, which promotes research and provides support to affected women and their families, awareness ‘is now more imperative than ever'.

"By spreading the word and coming together, I believe we can make a difference," she said.