Media Release: AWARENESS ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER IS MUCH NEEDED

AWARENESS ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER IS MUCH NEEDED

A greater awareness of ovarian cancer amongst women and health professionals is much needed says Rural Women New Zealand.

“Ovarian cancer kills more women per year in New Zealand than the road toll, with one woman dying every 48 hours from it, and its not talked about, we need to change this,” says National President Gill Naylor.

“Women present to health services, on average, four or five times before diagnosis is made and 85% of those diagnosed, are diagnosed in the later stage of the disease when options for care are minimal and survival is unlikely – this is not good enough.

“Early detection is possible the signs and symptoms are known and can be as simple as a blood test and in our view, it is vital to build awareness of symptoms through education campaigns for both the general public and health professionals.

“A cervical smear does not detect ovarian cancer and there is a need for a screening programme, timely access to testing for women with symptoms, improved access to approved therapies and clinical trials, and dedicated funding for research.

“RWNZ has committed to supporting the call to improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer and is adding its voice to those seeking support from the Government to reduce the number of women dying from this horrible disease.

“Too many women are dying unnecessarily from gynaecological cancers such as ovarian cancer – it’s just not good enough, the facts are clear, its time to save lives, and now,” says Mrs Naylor.

ENDS

For more information, or to request an interview with Gill, please contact Angela McLeod on angela.mcleod@ruralwomennz.nz or 027 497 2761