Raising awareness of ovarian cancer

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is when cells in the ovaries grow in a way that is not normal. The ovaries are part of a woman's body where eggs are made.

If you want to learn more, you can:

• Talk to a doctor or nurse.
• Read a simple book about cancer.
• Watch a video made for kids about health.

What signs show ovarian cancer?

Here are some signs of ovarian cancer:

• Feeling pain in your belly or lower part of your tummy.
• Always feeling full or not feeling like eating.
• Your tummy getting bigger.
• Needing to pee a lot.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Feeling very tired.

If you have these signs, tell a doctor. They can help you understand what's happening.

Use pictures or videos to talk about health. Asking someone to help you read can make it easier too.

How many people get ovarian cancer in the UK?

Ovarian cancer means cancer in the ovaries. The ovaries are parts of a woman's body. This cancer is not very common, but it can happen.

In the UK, about 7,500 women get ovarian cancer every year. That is about 20 women every day.

It is important for women to see a doctor if they feel unwell. The doctor can help find out what is wrong.

Reading tools like Read Aloud can help understand the information better. Listening while reading can make it easier to learn.

Who might get ovarian cancer?

Some people might have a higher chance of getting ovarian cancer. Here are a few things that can increase the risk:

• Getting older
• Having family members with ovarian cancer
• Having certain genes (like BRCA1 or BRCA2)
• Never having children

If you're worried, talk to a doctor. They can help and give good advice.

Can we find ovarian cancer early?

Doctors are trying to find ovarian cancer early. But, it is not easy. There are some tests that can help.

Here are two ways doctors check for ovarian cancer:

• Blood test: This looks for signs that could mean cancer is in the body.
• Ultrasound: This is a picture of the inside of the body to check for anything unusual.

These tests are not perfect, but they can help spot cancer early. It is important to talk to your doctor about any concerns. They can guide you and explain what tests might be needed.

It can also be helpful to:

• Write down questions: Before seeing the doctor, write down any questions you have.
• Bring a friend or family member: Having someone with you can help remember information.
• Ask for clear answers: Doctors can explain things in simple words if you ask.

How do doctors find out if someone has ovarian cancer?

Doctors have ways to check if someone might have ovarian cancer. Here is what they do:

• Talk with you: The doctor asks questions about how you feel and your family's health history.
• Physical exam: The doctor will gently feel your belly to check for lumps or changes.
• Ultrasound test: This test uses sound waves to make a picture of the inside of your belly. It helps doctors see if there are any unusual areas.
• Blood test: Doctors take a small amount of your blood to look for signs of cancer.
• Biopsy: If needed, doctors take a tiny piece of tissue to look at it closely under a microscope.

It may help to have a family member or friend go with you to appointments. Bringing a notebook can help you write down what the doctor says. You can also ask the doctor to explain things in a way that's easy to understand. There are phone apps that can help you remember questions to ask the doctor. Using pictures and drawings might also make it easier to understand information.

What treatments are there for ovarian cancer?

There are different ways to help people with ovarian cancer. Here are some of them:

• Surgery: Doctors may do an operation to remove the cancer. Sometimes they also remove the ovaries.
• Chemotherapy: This uses strong medicine to kill cancer cells. The medicine can be given through a drip or as tablets.
• Radiation therapy: This uses special rays to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy: This uses drugs that go after cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Helpful Tips:

It can be good to talk to doctors, nurses, or support groups. They can help explain what is happening and what to expect. It is also okay to ask lots of questions to understand the treatments better.

What are BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes?

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are special parts of your body called genes. Genes are like instructions inside you that tell your body how to work. These two genes help keep your body healthy by fixing things that might go wrong.

Sometimes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can change in a way that isn't good. This can make it easier for some people to get illnesses like cancer.

If you want to learn more, you can ask a doctor or use tools like picture books or simple videos to help understand better.

Can a test find out if I might get ovarian cancer?

You can have a special test to see if you might get ovarian cancer. This test looks at your genes. Genes are like little instructions in our body.

If someone in your family had ovarian cancer, you might need this test. The test can help doctors understand your risk better.

Ask your doctor if you should have this test. They can help you decide.

You can use a friend or family member to help read this with you. Also, you can ask someone to explain it to you if needed.

Can changing how we live help stop ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a sickness in the part of a woman's body where babies grow. We can do some things to try and stop it.

Here are some simple changes you can make:

• Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly, like playing outside or going for walks.
• Do not smoke. Smoking is bad for your body.
• Talk to a doctor about any health concerns you have.

If you find it hard to read or need help, you can:

• Ask someone you trust to read with you.
• Use audiobooks to listen instead of reading.
• Break the text into smaller bits and take your time.

Can women with ovarian cancer in the UK find support groups?

Yes, women with ovarian cancer in the UK can find support groups to help them.

These groups let women talk to others who have similar experiences. They can share feelings and get advice.

Some groups meet in person, and others meet online. Women can choose what is best for them.

To find a group, women can ask their doctor or nurse for advice. They can also look online for support groups.

What to do if I feel sick and think it might be ovarian cancer?

If you are feeling unwell and think it could be ovarian cancer, don't worry, you can get help. Here’s what you can do:

1. **Talk to an adult you trust**: Share your feelings with a parent, guardian, or someone who makes you feel safe.

2. **See a doctor**: It's important to visit a doctor. They can check if you are okay and tell you what to do next.

3. **Write it down**: Make a list of how you feel. This can help you remember everything you want to tell the doctor.

4. **Ask questions**: If you don’t understand what the doctor says, it's okay to ask them to explain it again.

These steps can help you feel better and know what to do next.

What is a CA-125 blood test?

A CA-125 blood test is a test that looks for a substance called CA-125 in the blood. Doctors use this test to help check women's health, especially to see if there might be signs of some diseases like cancer in the ovaries.

If you find it hard to understand, you can ask a friend, family member, or doctor to explain. You can also use tools like reading apps to read the text aloud for you.

Does having family with cancer change my chance of getting ovarian cancer?

If someone in your family had ovarian cancer, like your mom or sister, it might mean you are more likely to get it too. It is important to tell your doctor about any family members who had cancer. Your doctor can help you understand your risk.

Tools that might help:

• Family Tree: Draw your family to see who had cancer.
• Doctor Visit: Talk to your doctor about your family's health.
• Write Down Questions: Bring a list of questions to your doctor appointment.

Where can I find more information on ovarian cancer?

You can find more information about ovarian cancer by taking these steps:

• Ask your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand more.
• Visit a library. There are books and magazines that can help.
• Look on trusted websites. A safe place to start is a website like www.cancer.org.

It can be helpful to talk to someone who has experience with ovarian cancer. You can join a support group where people share their experiences.

If you find reading hard, try asking someone to read to you. You can also use a tool that reads text out loud.

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is when cells in the ovaries grow in a way that is not normal. The ovaries are part of a woman's body where eggs are made.

If you want to learn more, you can:

• Talk to a doctor or nurse.
• Read a simple book about cancer.
• Watch a video made for kids about health.

What signs show ovarian cancer?

Here are some signs of ovarian cancer:

• Feeling pain in your belly or lower part of your tummy.
• Always feeling full or not feeling like eating.
• Your tummy getting bigger.
• Needing to pee a lot.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Feeling very tired.

If you have these signs, tell a doctor. They can help you understand what's happening.

Use pictures or videos to talk about health. Asking someone to help you read can make it easier too.

How many people get ovarian cancer in the UK?

Ovarian cancer means cancer in the ovaries. The ovaries are parts of a woman's body. This cancer is not very common, but it can happen.

In the UK, about 7,500 women get ovarian cancer every year. That is about 20 women every day.

It is important for women to see a doctor if they feel unwell. The doctor can help find out what is wrong.

Reading tools like Read Aloud can help understand the information better. Listening while reading can make it easier to learn.

Who might get ovarian cancer?

Some people might have a higher chance of getting ovarian cancer. Here are a few things that can increase the risk:

• Getting older
• Having family members with ovarian cancer
• Having certain genes (like BRCA1 or BRCA2)
• Never having children

If you're worried, talk to a doctor. They can help and give good advice.

Can we find ovarian cancer early?

Doctors are trying to find ovarian cancer early. But, it is not easy. There are some tests that can help.

Here are two ways doctors check for ovarian cancer:

• Blood test: This looks for signs that could mean cancer is in the body.
• Ultrasound: This is a picture of the inside of the body to check for anything unusual.

These tests are not perfect, but they can help spot cancer early. It is important to talk to your doctor about any concerns. They can guide you and explain what tests might be needed.

It can also be helpful to:

• Write down questions: Before seeing the doctor, write down any questions you have.
• Bring a friend or family member: Having someone with you can help remember information.
• Ask for clear answers: Doctors can explain things in simple words if you ask.

How do doctors find out if someone has ovarian cancer?

Doctors have ways to check if someone might have ovarian cancer. Here is what they do:

• Talk with you: The doctor asks questions about how you feel and your family's health history.
• Physical exam: The doctor will gently feel your belly to check for lumps or changes.
• Ultrasound test: This test uses sound waves to make a picture of the inside of your belly. It helps doctors see if there are any unusual areas.
• Blood test: Doctors take a small amount of your blood to look for signs of cancer.
• Biopsy: If needed, doctors take a tiny piece of tissue to look at it closely under a microscope.

It may help to have a family member or friend go with you to appointments. Bringing a notebook can help you write down what the doctor says. You can also ask the doctor to explain things in a way that's easy to understand. There are phone apps that can help you remember questions to ask the doctor. Using pictures and drawings might also make it easier to understand information.

What treatments are there for ovarian cancer?

There are different ways to help people with ovarian cancer. Here are some of them:

• Surgery: Doctors may do an operation to remove the cancer. Sometimes they also remove the ovaries.
• Chemotherapy: This uses strong medicine to kill cancer cells. The medicine can be given through a drip or as tablets.
• Radiation therapy: This uses special rays to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy: This uses drugs that go after cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Helpful Tips:

It can be good to talk to doctors, nurses, or support groups. They can help explain what is happening and what to expect. It is also okay to ask lots of questions to understand the treatments better.

What are BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes?

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are special parts of your body called genes. Genes are like instructions inside you that tell your body how to work. These two genes help keep your body healthy by fixing things that might go wrong.

Sometimes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can change in a way that isn't good. This can make it easier for some people to get illnesses like cancer.

If you want to learn more, you can ask a doctor or use tools like picture books or simple videos to help understand better.

Can a test find out if I might get ovarian cancer?

You can have a special test to see if you might get ovarian cancer. This test looks at your genes. Genes are like little instructions in our body.

If someone in your family had ovarian cancer, you might need this test. The test can help doctors understand your risk better.

Ask your doctor if you should have this test. They can help you decide.

You can use a friend or family member to help read this with you. Also, you can ask someone to explain it to you if needed.

Can changing how we live help stop ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a sickness in the part of a woman's body where babies grow. We can do some things to try and stop it.

Here are some simple changes you can make:

• Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly, like playing outside or going for walks.
• Do not smoke. Smoking is bad for your body.
• Talk to a doctor about any health concerns you have.

If you find it hard to read or need help, you can:

• Ask someone you trust to read with you.
• Use audiobooks to listen instead of reading.
• Break the text into smaller bits and take your time.

Can women with ovarian cancer in the UK find support groups?

Yes, women with ovarian cancer in the UK can find support groups to help them.

These groups let women talk to others who have similar experiences. They can share feelings and get advice.

Some groups meet in person, and others meet online. Women can choose what is best for them.

To find a group, women can ask their doctor or nurse for advice. They can also look online for support groups.

What to do if I feel sick and think it might be ovarian cancer?

If you are feeling unwell and think it could be ovarian cancer, don't worry, you can get help. Here’s what you can do:

1. **Talk to an adult you trust**: Share your feelings with a parent, guardian, or someone who makes you feel safe.

2. **See a doctor**: It's important to visit a doctor. They can check if you are okay and tell you what to do next.

3. **Write it down**: Make a list of how you feel. This can help you remember everything you want to tell the doctor.

4. **Ask questions**: If you don’t understand what the doctor says, it's okay to ask them to explain it again.

These steps can help you feel better and know what to do next.

What is a CA-125 blood test?

A CA-125 blood test is a test that looks for a substance called CA-125 in the blood. Doctors use this test to help check women's health, especially to see if there might be signs of some diseases like cancer in the ovaries.

If you find it hard to understand, you can ask a friend, family member, or doctor to explain. You can also use tools like reading apps to read the text aloud for you.

Does having family with cancer change my chance of getting ovarian cancer?

If someone in your family had ovarian cancer, like your mom or sister, it might mean you are more likely to get it too. It is important to tell your doctor about any family members who had cancer. Your doctor can help you understand your risk.

Tools that might help:

• Family Tree: Draw your family to see who had cancer.
• Doctor Visit: Talk to your doctor about your family's health.
• Write Down Questions: Bring a list of questions to your doctor appointment.

Where can I find more information on ovarian cancer?

You can find more information about ovarian cancer by taking these steps:

• Ask your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand more.
• Visit a library. There are books and magazines that can help.
• Look on trusted websites. A safe place to start is a website like www.cancer.org.

It can be helpful to talk to someone who has experience with ovarian cancer. You can join a support group where people share their experiences.

If you find reading hard, try asking someone to read to you. You can also use a tool that reads text out loud.