Dr Foster Intelligence

Dr Foster Intelligence's Research and Consultation Services team completed a nationwide survey into levels of awareness of ovarian cancer.

The shock results found that only one in six, a mere 16 per cent, of women are aware of ovarian cancer. This compares starkly to the more than four out of five, 84 per cent, of women who are aware of breast cancer. More women are aware of the exclusively male prostate and testicular cancers than they are of ovarian cancer.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP, broadcaster and spokesperson on women's health for the Royal College of General Practitioners said, "Of all the cancers that women have that I care for, ovarian cancer is the most distressing because it tends to be picked up so late."

The survey also found that confusion surrounding the differences between ovarian and cervical cancer meant that nearly half of the women surveyed thought that a smear test would tell them whether or not they have ovarian cancer.

Two thirds of women (66 per cent) are not able to cite any symptoms of ovarian cancer or say they do not know what the symptoms are, and almost two thirds (59 per cent) of women say they do not know or are not able to mention any risk factors associated with ovarian cancer.

Commissioned by Ovarian cancer action, the survey questioned a representative sample of the UK's regional and socio-economic groups.

"This survey highlights the urgent need for a national awareness campaign to help women identify warning signs and to enable them to ask for specialist advice if they are concerned," said Annwen Jones, Chief Executive of Ovarian cancer action.