4,300 women die due to ovarian cancer each year in UK. Early diagnosis can save life of 70 percent women with the disease. There are 6,800 new cases of ovarian cancer each year.

Studies have shown not only people but also GPs are unaware of the various early symptoms of the ovarian cancer.  

It was found during Target Ovarian Cancer Pathfinder Study that eight out of ten doctors wrongly believe that women in the early stages of the of ovarian cancer show no symptoms.

Another study by research team from the University of Bristol found that many women have informed GPs about their symptoms.

The data collected from 212 women aged over 40 from across 39 general practices in Devon was compared with more than 1,000 healthy women. Data analysis revealed the four common symptoms of ovarian cancer which often go unnoticed by the GPs. These symptoms are abdominal distension, pain, bloating and loss of appetite.

The researchers said it was vital that abdominal distension is picked up as a warning sign, especially as there is no cancer screening programme for ovarian cancer.

Annwen Jones, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “In the last 12 months there has been progress with the Department of Health and charities agreeing key messages on symptoms of ovarian cancer for both health professionals and the public, but knowledge of these messages is woefully low.”