Helen Hyndman
MBE, Lead Nurse, The Eve Appeal
March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and we want to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and what we need to help improve outcomes for patients in the UK.
Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological cancer and the sixth most common cancer in women in the UK. It affects 7,500 women and people with gynae organs each year in the UK.
Around 4 in 10 women and people with gynae organs are only diagnosed with ovarian cancer after visiting A&E. This may impact people’s chances of a good outcome, as they’re often diagnosed in the later stages.
Why ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed
Unlike cervical cancer, there’s currently no NHS screening programme for ovarian cancer. It’s commonly misdiagnosed, as its symptoms, persistent bloating and changes to eating, bowel and urinary habits aren’t ‘very gynae.’ Ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as it has similar symptoms. IBS and other conditions are more common, and the natural route a GP may take at first, but we must make sure ovarian cancer is investigated and ruled out or diagnosed if symptoms persist.
The National Ovarian Cancer Audit has highlighted significant disparities in ovarian cancer care across England and Wales. The National Cancer Plan sets out reducing the ‘postcode lottery’ around cancer diagnosis and care as a key priority, with plans on how to achieve this.
Ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as it has similar symptoms.
How ‘Jess’s Rule’ may shift early diagnosis
‘Jess’s Rule,’ introduced for GPs in 2025, says if a patient presents three times with the same, worsening or unexplained symptoms without a clear diagnosis, GPs must review, investigate or escalate care. As many patients with ovarian cancer visit their GP multiple times, we hope it could help patients get the referral and investigations they need for cancer if earlier investigations and treatments for benign conditions weren’t fruitful.
We hope to see a shift in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer over the next decade and look forward to working with the Government and NHS to deliver their plans.
