Launching our brand new symptoms diary
30 April 2026
Marking our seventh anniversary with an important new resource
This World Ovarian Cancer Day (Friday 8 May), we'll be marking our seventh anniversary.
Seven years ago, after our amazing Dianne died, we decided we wanted to turn the tragedy into something positive that could help others in our region.
We wanted to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer so that other families in the North West could hopefully have more time together with their loved ones than we had with Dianne.
And now, seven years on, we are just as committed. We want to see a future where no-one in our region dies of ovarian cancer. It's a bold ambition but we make no excuse for that.
According to data from North West Cancer Research, residents in the North West are 25 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than the rest of the UK and more people are living with cancer in the region too.
Ovarian cancer statistics are particularly stark, with some parts of the North West seeing prevalence rates up to 22 per cent higher than the rest of England. Someone dies every two hours of ovarian cancer, but if diagnosed in its earliest stages more than 90 per cent survive for more than five years.
That's why, as we mark this special seventh anniversary, we're launching a brand new tool that you can use to help track any symptoms you're experiencing, so you can see your GP armed with all of the information you need to discuss.
Dr Charlotte Badescu, one of our trustees, is a local GP who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 31.
She said: “As someone who has survived ovarian cancer and is also a doctor, I know just how vital it is to be body aware and to seek advice or help if there’s anything that doesn’t feel normal to you or you’re worried about.
“We’re really proud to be launching our brand new, free symptoms diary to help people across the North West to monitor and track their symptoms in advance of seeing their GP, and to help them make a note of any questions or other signs they’ve spotted that they want to raise.
“As a GP it can be really helpful to understand patterns in people’s symptoms, and this really simple diary will mean appointments run even more smoothly as there will be lots of helpful information for your doctor to review. It can form the basis of more detailed discussions and then GPs can arrange for any additional tests or other actions as a result.
“We’ve worked really hard to make sure the document is as easy to follow and complete as possible and we’d love lots of people to download it.
“With North West Cancer Research statistics showing unacceptable inequalities of ovarian cancer outcomes locally, we know that there needs to be urgent action to save lives here in the North West.
“As a really small charity we’re proud to play our part and won’t stop shouting about the symptoms to look out for until we reach a future where no-one in the North West dies from ovarian cancer.
“Please download the symptoms diary or contact us to receive one in the post. It literally could save your life or the life of someone you love.”
