International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A new UK study has indicated that many women may be needlessly dying of ovarian cancer because their symptoms are mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome.

Target Ovarian Cancer says there is widespread confusion among GPs and women generally about ovarian cancer, with four out of five doctors wrongly thinking women with early stage ovarian cancer do not have symptoms.

According to the charity and campaign group, 61 per cent of GPs are also not aware that a strong history of ovarian cancer on the father's side of the family puts a woman more at risk.

"Only four per cent of women felt very confident that they would identify a symptom of ovarian cancer and 44 per cent of women with ovarian cancer had to wait more than six months for a correct diagnosis," Target Ovarian Cancer added.

Annwen Jones, chief executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, told the BBC: "Change is long overdue and ovarian cancer needs to become a priority."

Last week, Swedish researchers based at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital claimed that obese women could reduce their risk of developing cancer by undergoing weight-loss surgery.