February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which means it's time to Show Up for ovarian cancer.

Every day one woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. With one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer, more than half of those diagnosed won’t live beyond five years unless we take action now!

This February you can raise awareness, raise funds and raise hope!

One way you can Show Up for those facing ovarian cancer is by taking a personal fitness challenge of your choice during February. You could walk, ride, or swim your way to making an impact as part of a team or by yourself!

Sign up to Show Up for Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer is easy to miss but hard to treat. Most ovarian cancer is not preventable and is only detected via a pelvic exam, specific blood test and an ultrasound. A diagnosis is confirmed through surgery.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common type of women’s cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women. More people die from ovarian cancer in New Zealand than from cervical, uterine, vulval and vaginal cancer combined.

As you age, your risk of getting ovarian cancer increases. Half of all people with ovarian cancer are 65 years or older. However, people of all ages can get ovarian cancer, including children.

One in eight people diagnosed with ovarian cancer are younger than 45 years. However, Maōri and Pacific people are more likely to get ovarian cancer younger with one in three diagnosed under 45 years.​

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are non-specific and can include:

Let your doctor know if you experience any of these symptoms for longer than four weeks.

Find out more about ovarian cancer, including the support available from the Ovarian Foundation NZ.