Please sponsor Dr. Greg Miles , a GP in Sherborne for 35 years

March is OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

41,000 woman in uk have ovarian cancer

20 diagnosed per day

11 die per day

It is the SILENT KILLER , its symptoms can be so non-specific and nebulous.

I would like to:

• increase awareness of ovarian cancer

• raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support

• raise funds of TARGET OVARIAN CANCER

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Every year 7000 UK women face the devastating diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Many may have had symptoms for months but dismissed them as digestive problems or signs of the menopause or getting older.

IT IS THE SILENT KILLER

Most women are diagnosed when their cancer has spread, but if it had been caught earlier it could be easier to treat and have better results.

Knowing the signs and symptoms to more women is vital

Know the B.E.A.T. acronym:

B is for bloating that is persistent and doesn’t come and go

E is for eating difficulty and feeling full more quickly

A is for abdominal and pelvic pain you feel most days

T is for toilet changes in urination or bowel habits

If you have any of these symptoms for no reason, or you get these symptoms regularly (especially more than 12 times a month), your GP should offer you cancer tests:

• a long-lasting bloated or swollen tummy

• loss of appetite

• feeling full quickly when you eat

• pain in the lower tummy area or back

• passing urine more often than usual

• passing urine more urgently (feeling like you can’t hold on).

Other ovarian cancer symptoms may include:

• a change in your normal bowel habit (diarrhoea or constipation)

• weight gain or weight loss

• unexplained or extreme tiredness (fatigue)

• vaginal bleeding after your menopause

If you are 50 years or older and develop symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for the first time, you should also have tests. IBS can cause bloating and changes in bowel habit, but it does not usually start after the age of 50.

Macmillan Cancer Support is a well known charity. It’s website and links provide information and support to anyone diagnosed with cancer . From diagnosis, investigations ,treatments and to support of you physically, emotionally and financially

TARGET OVARIAN CANCER ; the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity. It works to improve early diagnosis, fund life-saving research and provide much-needed support to women with ovarian cancer

The distinctive medical research programme funds ovarian cancer-specific research across the UK. and funds innovative research that will benefit the largest proportion of women with ovarian cancer in the shortest timeframe.

Early diagnosis

-research to find a novel way to detect ovarian cancer by identifying tumour DNA fragments in the blood.

-There's currently no proven screening test for ovarian cancer and a complete diagnosis is only possible through investigative surgery.

-Improving treatment by steps to overcoming a significant problem in ovarian cancer treatment: resistance to chemotherapy drugs.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Most women with ovarian cancer require several doses of IV chemotherapy, which has many side effects . One of the most obvious is loss of their hair

My fund raising effort is simple for me , I will shave my head when I have reached my target of £500 each for Macmillan cancer Support and for TARGET OVARIAN CANCER

By the time hairdressers are open in England ( April 12th) I have made an appointment with my barber , I hope to achieved my target and will lose my hair. Mine will grow back soon, whereas those women undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy will be hairless for months