Ovarian cancer campaign hits the road in Lancashire and South Cumbria

A campaign to promote awareness and boost early diagnosis of ovarian cancer will be taking to the road next week.

Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance has teamed up with cancer charity Ovacome to bring its eye-catching van to town centres, community events and supermarkets across the region, from Wednesday 17 September to Saturday 18 October.

Staffed by trained health ambassadors and volunteers, the van will offer interactive symptom checkers, on-site talks and Q&A sessions, and signposting to local support groups and healthcare providers.

More than 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK each year, but survival rates remain low, in part because many cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Dr Neil Smith, primary care director at Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance, said: “The whole campaign is aimed at getting women to act upon symptoms with the hope that we can diagnose ovarian cancer as early as possible. Early diagnosis can more than double your chance of survival.

“Taking the van to the people is a great initiative and an opportunity that women should take advantage of, regardless of whether they have any symptoms, such as feeling constantly bloated, have a swollen tummy, or a need to pee more often than usual, or have discomfort in your tummy and pelvic area that lasts for three weeks or more. It’s a great way to learn more about ovarian cancer and what to look out for.”

On its month-long tour of towns and cities in Lancashire and South Cumbria, the Ovacome van will stop at: Kendal (September 17 & 18), Lancaster (Sep 19 & 20), Chorley (Sep 23 & 25), Blackpool (Sep 26 & 27), Lytham St. Annes (October 1), Burnley (Oct 2 & 3), Garstang (Oct 4), Preston (Oct 8 & 9), Leyland (Oct 10 & 11), Blackburn (Oct 15 & 16), and Ormskirk (Oct 17 & 18). Full details of each location can be found on the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board website. 

Ovacome chief executive officer Victoria Clare said: “Ovacome is delighted to be working with Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance. Working together, we will be able to reach people with really important messaging to help them learn more about ovarian cancer, the risks, the symptoms and how to access support if they - or someone they know - is diagnosed.

“We are grateful to the teams involved who are so committed to seeing earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for people with ovarian cancer.”

For more details on the Ovacome van’s schedule, visit www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/ovarian-cancer-van

If you, or anyone you know is affected by ovarian cancer, Ovacome’s free helpline is open Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm, on 0800 008 7054.