Join our Let’s talk about ovarian cancer campaign this World Ovarian Cancer Day
Today is World Ovarian Cancer Day but did you know Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance (KMCA) has information resources to support women to have conversations about ovarian cancer all year round?
In 2024, more than 200 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Kent and Medway, with more than half of cases diagnosed at a late stage.*
KMCA's 'Let's talk about ovarian cancer' campaign was designed and developed by the alliance team working with local women.
Together they created a toolkit of posters, postcards and pocket sized fold out cards to encourage conversations with families, friends and local communities.
The aim of the campaign is to both raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and support women to speak to their GP about any concerns, helping to increase earlier diagnosis.
Since its development, the materials have been shared through community groups, GP practices, libraries and other venues and through outreach events across Kent and Medway. A neighbouring cancer alliance has adopted the toolkit too.
'Trust your body'
Charlotte Flannery, a matron at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, is sharing her story after being diagnosed with an exceptionally rare form of the disease, with only around 100 cases recorded worldwide.
Charlotte started experiencing ovulation pain that didn't feel right. Following a scan, doctors discovered an 8cm mass on her right ovary.
Initially the team thought that she had a dermoid cyst and she had surgery to remove it. However, three weeks later the pathology results showed that the cyst was cancerous. Further tests found that the cancer had spread and Charlotte needed surgery to remove three tumours.
Charlotte, said: “Early intervention really does help save lives. If something doesn't feel right get it checked out. Yes, it is scary, but it is also very brave. Listen to your body. This goes for anything that doesn't feel right, not just ovarian cancer. It could save your life.”
Read Charlotte's story in full on the Medway NHS Foundation Trust' website.
Join the 'Let's talk about ovarian cancer' campaign
You can join the 'Let's talk about ovarian cancer' campaign by:
- Requesting 'Let's talk about ovarian cancer' campaign printed posters, postcards and wallet-sized cards to share with your community group or in your workplace. Email england.kmcanceralliance@nhs.net putting 'Let's talk about ovarian cancer campaign materials request' in the subject header.
- Looking out for 'Let's talk about ovarian cancer' posts on social media and sharing them with your followers and friends.
Signs and symptoms
Main symptoms are:
- persistent bloating or a swollen tummy
- reduced appetite or feeling full quickly after eating
- pain or tenderness in your tummy or pelvis (the area between the hips)
- urinary symptoms (needing to wee more urgently or more often).
These will be:
- requent - they will usually happen more than 12 times per month
- persistent - they don't go away
- new - they're not normal for you.
There are many other (non-cancer) causes for these symptoms but if you are concerned, it's best to get them checked out.
Finding ovarian cancer early can mean it's more treatable.
Have the conversation. Contact your GP practice.
Find out more on ovarian cancer: www.kentandmedwaycanceralliance.nhs.uk/ovarian-cancer
You can read more about the campaign on our Let's talk about ovarian cancer page on our public involvement hub.
*(Source: Rapid Cancer Registrations Dataset, 2026).