Be more cancer aware throughout March

Anne Elliott-Flockhart will hold the tea party on Saturday, March 28 from 10am to noon at Sandy Village Hall. The aim is to raise funds for ovarian cancer research and boost awareness of the disease.

In 2003 Anne’s mum Claire was diagnosed with the cancer, she underwent several courses of chemotherapy over the years but finally lost her battle in 2007 at the age of 52.

Before her mum developed the disease Anne had never heard of ovarian cancer.

It is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in women and accounts for more UK deaths than all of the other gynaecological cancers put together.

The good news is that if diagnosed at an early stage, the outcome is good. Women with early stage ovarian cancer have five-year survival rates in excess of 70 per cent.

The main signs of the disease which are highlighted in the BEAT acronym.

B is for bloating that does not come and go, E is for eating less and feeling fuller quicker, A is for abdominal pain and T is for telling your GP.

For further information please contact Anne on 07733 157767 or [email protected]

Amanda Cawthorn, 43, from Biggleswade, who had ovarian cancer is also fronting a campaign to raise awareness of the disease.

Amanda said: “Ovarian cancer does not have to be the silent killer if women know what to listen out for.

“I feel that I’ve been very lucky in catching the disease early.”