Launch of You Need to Know ovarian cancer campaign

North East London Cancer Alliance and leading gynaecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal have launched a second phase of their ‘You Need to Know’ campaign, to raise awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms and improve early diagnosis.

The campaign encourages women in north east London to speak to their GPs if they experience persistent bloating or other unexplained changes in bowel movement or eating habits.

To mark the launch, the campaign took over a Tila Nails salon in Hackney on Tuesday 28 January, offering free bespoke ‘You Need to Know’ manicures to engage with local women and spark conversations about gynaecological health in an informal setting.

The salon was buzzing throughout the day, as local residents flocked to get their free manicure, and at the same time open up conversations about their health. Karen Hobbs from The Eve Appeal was on hand to answer any questions about ovarian cancer, as well as the other gynae cancers - womb, cervical, vulval and vaginal.

Caroline Cook, Early Diagnosis Programme Lead for the North East London Cancer Alliance says: “Rates of ovarian cancer are rising in north east London.  A key priority for us as a Cancer Alliance is to help local people understand the signs of ovarian cancer, so they can act without delay when they notice something unusual. This will help them to receive an earlier diagnosis, resulting in better outcomes.

“Ovarian cancer is often associated with vague symptoms that may resemble digestive issues rather than gynaecological concerns. This campaign, shaped with input from the very women it seeks to support, aims to reach women in community spaces and educate them about ovarian cancer symptoms so they can confidently identify them and access the care they need sooner."

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer

This campaign follows the launch of the first You Need To Know campaign in 2023, which has successfully been raising awareness of womb cancer and has gone on to win several awards.

This second phase aims to raise awareness of most common ovarian cancer signs and was created in response to recent data showing a 20% increase in ovarian cancer cases among women in north east London boroughs between 2018 and 2022.

There are approximately 7,500 new cases of ovarian cancer each year in the UK, and the number is rising. Projections suggest this could increase to around 9,400 new cases annually by 2038–2040.

The aim is to raise awareness of symptoms and encourage women to come forward to speak to their GP so they can be checked sooner.

Alex Lawrence, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Barts Health NHS Trust, explains: “If you are a woman and you‘ve been feeling uncomfortable fullness in the abdomen that persists for more than three weeks, particularly if you also notice bladder weakness, you must speak to your GP. It’s unlikely to be anything serious, but if it does turn out to be cancer, detecting it early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment.”

Other common symptoms of ovarian cancer include persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, unexplained changes in bowel habits, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, nausea, or an increased need to urinate. These symptoms can vary between individuals and do not necessarily indicate ovarian cancer. However, if you notice one or more of these signs, it’s important to get them checked by your GP.

What happens next?

Following the nail salon events, there will be a series of community talks taking place across north east London to educate local women about ovarian cancer and gynaecological health. The talks will be held at popular community spaces and aim to reach women from diverse backgrounds including Turkish, Lithuanian, Polish, and more.

Where can I find out more information?

For more information about ovarian, womb, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancers, visit The Eve Appeal website.

Visit the You Need to Know (womb) and You Need to Know (ovarian) cancer alliance web pages.

For more information about the awareness campaign, visit the cancer alliance You Need to Know campaign page.