'Know your ovaries' - ovarian van NHS partnership
'Know your ovaries' is a campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Despite being the sixth most common cancer among women in the UK, with 21 people diagnosed every day, ovarian cancer is still not widely known or recognised.
Awareness of the signs and symptoms is low, and most cases are diagnosed at a later stage, when treatment is more complex and outcomes more uncertain.
We were excited to partner with NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria in a ‘Know your ovaries’ campaign to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and make more people aware of the disease.
Throughout September and October 2025, an ‘ovarian van’, featuring some of our very own 2025 Touch of Teal models, toured locations within Lancashire and South Cumbria identified as having a higher proportion of late staged diagnosis. The van visited town centres, supermarkets and community events. Trained volunteer health ambassadors were on hand giving out Ovacome's B.E.A.T symptoms information, symptom trackers, answering questions and signposting to local primary care, GP surgeries and Ovacome's support services.
“Thank you so much Lisa for taking the time to talk me through my concerns about the symptoms I have. I would never of linked these symptoms to my ovaries. I will ring the doctor today and take this form to my appointment and ask about having my ovaries checked. I can’t thank you enough."
"I am surprised at how ignorant I feel about this cancer. Without knowing it I just presumed everything was all part and parcel of cervical smear testing."
The health ambassadors had 6082 interactions with members of the public.
1067 people completed surveys rating their understanding of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer on a scale of 1-10 before and after visiting the van.
The average score increased from 2.4 to 9.3. A 308.7% increase in understanding.
“Unaware of post hysterectomy risk, was never mentioned, glad I stopped to speak with you."
Worried you or a loved one might have ovarian cancer?
Speak to our support line.
We're here: Monday - Friday 10am-5pm
Call 0808 008 7054 or email support@ovacome.org.uk
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