MP joins national charity in fight against ovarian cancer

Local MP Tim Farron has written to nearly 20,000 women across the South Lakes, off the back of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, to raise awareness about the symptoms of the disease.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer amongst women. However, if the cancer is found in its early stages, up to 90% of women will survive for more than five years. Unfortunately, most women in the UK are not diagnosed until it has already spread, making successful treatment difficult, and survival rates much lower. In fact, the UK has one of the lowest ovarian cancer survival rates in Europe.

Tim Farron has been working with the charity Ovarian Cancer Action, who have also sent leaflets which explain the symptoms of the disease to every GP surgery in South Lakeland.

Mr Farron said: "Research into ovarian cancer has been under-funded in the UK in comparison to other cancers - despite the fact that the disease is the biggest gynaecological killer. That's why I am launching a campaign to call on the Government to ensure that more money is invested in research that identifies the causes of ovarian cancer so that women's chances of surviving are enhanced.

"My mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2002 and passed away at just 54 years of age in 2004. Our experience - sadly shared by so many other families - has made me determined that we do everything we can to fight this disease."