Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) united after Thursday’s First Minister’s Questions to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, in support of a charity campaign marking World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD).
Cross-party MSPs stood together on the steps of the Garden Lobby and were pictured holding symbolic white roses for a special photo call, organised by research charity Ovarian Cancer Action and sponsored by Monica Lennon (Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland).
The event was part of Ovarian Cancer Action’s UK-wide campaign to promote ovarian cancer symptoms awareness. The charity handed out 33,000 roses in cities across the UK with symptoms card attached, representing the number of women currently living with the disease in the UK.
White roses were also worn by Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, and dozens of MPs in the House of Commons; the Welsh First Minister and Assembly Members to promote life-saving symptoms awareness.
Ovarian cancer kills one woman every two hours, yet according to research by Ovarian Cancer Action, 82% of women do not know the four main symptoms1. These are: persistent bloating, persistent stomach pain, feeling full quickly, and weeing more frequently.
Low awareness, combined with a reluctance to visit the GP immediately (70% of women would hope their symptoms disappeared in time) is particularly dangerous.
There’s no screening tool for ovarian cancer and quick symptoms recognition and action is the only way to detect the disease early. Ovarian Cancer Action is calling on the Scottish Government to fund a Detect Cancer Early awareness campaign for ovarian cancer to raise vital awareness of the disease and its symptoms.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, said: “Early detection of Ovarian Cancer is the best way to improve survival rates for women.
“If you have any of the four main symptoms, persistent bloating, persistent stomach pain, feeling full quickly or weeing more frequently, do not hesitate to book an appointment with your GP to get checked.”
Monica Lennon, convener of the Cross-Party Group on Women’s Health, was delighted to bring the campaign into Scottish Parliament. “It was superb to see Members from all parties take a rose today and stand with the 33,000 women currently living with ovarian cancer – 3,300 of which live in Scotland.
“It’s vital we know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, a disease too easily confused with other conditions, and this is costing women their lives. It was wonderful to join forces with my fellow MSPs and with the other national parliaments, to project a message of hope for World Ovarian Cancer Day.”
Cary Wakefield, Chief Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action, said: “The UK has one of the worst ovarian cancer survival rates in Europe. To improve survival rates we need more research and better symptom awareness, which is why we are handing out 33,000 white roses this World Ovarian Cancer Day.
“It’s easy to ignore symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain if you don’t know they are symptoms of a potentially deadly disease. Listen to your body and head straight to your GP if something isn’t right.”
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