If the answer is yes, then you could have ovarian cancer and should make an appointment with your GP and insist on booking in for an ultrasound.
One woman dies every eight hours from ovarian cancer in Australia and over 50 per cent of the community incorrectly believe a pap smear diagnoses it.
The average age of diagnosis is 64 but you can get it at any age.
Watching her mother die from ovarian cancer has galvanised Auburn resident Mary Dias into becoming a campaigner and she is urging other women not to ignore symptoms ahead of the annual Giving Day on Wednesday, February 23.Organisers are also urging residents to buy a teal ribbon (Terry White chemist or website below) and wear it throughout February to create awareness as well as Hosting a Teal Tea to raise funds.
Tragically, Mary said family and medical staff all dismissed her 80-year-old mother’s symptoms as ‘just part of getting old’ until it was too late.
“I don’t want women to suffer like my mum suffered,” she said.
“She shouldn’t have had to go through that.
“I just want to make people aware. Ovarian cancer is called a silent killer for a good reason.
“It’s such an awful cancer. It’s for my mum that I have to do this, to talk about ovarian cancer and to educate everyone.”
Details: Ovarian Cancer Australia Helpline on 1300 660 334. Donations: ovariancancer.net.au.
Urging all women to check for ovarian cancer after mum dies
DO you have stomach pain, bloating or backache? Do you need to urinate often or feel full after eating only a small amount?