When a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the earliest stage, her chance of surviving for five years or more doubles from just 46 per cent to more than 90 per cent according to Cancer Research UK. Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre (BCHC) is raising awareness of ovarian cancer and highlighting the symptoms to increase early diagnosis of this disease among women.

BCHC is hosting an ovarian cancer presentation and panel as part of their ongoing Cancer Talks series on September 13, 2018, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Guest speakers Dr. Chris Price, Oncologist at the Bermuda Hospital Board and Dr. Susana Campos, Medical Director at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, will discuss the causes, risk factors, the role family history and genetics, early detection, treatment options and prognosis.

Not all women present with the same symptoms, and sometimes symptoms of ovarian cancer go unnoticed. It is therefore essential to pay attention to those that are the most common: persistent bloating, feeling full quickly and/or loss of appetite, pelvic or abdominal pain and urinary symptoms.

Symptoms will be frequent (usually happening more than 12 times a month) persistent (as in they don’t go away) and new (not normal for you). Anyone experiencing these symptoms, which are not normal for them, should see their physician to discuss these symptoms, their risk factors and their family’s history of cancer.

For more information email events@chc.bm or visit www.chc.bm.

• Press release from Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre