A woman who beat ovarian cancer is raising awareness to 'empower the next generation'.

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and national charity GO Girls, based in Dorchester, has launched its ABC campaign to ensure more women know the early symptoms of the disease.

The simple acronym ABC stands for: A for abdominal pain, B for bloating and disturbed bowels and C for Can’t Eat Much and Feeling Full.

Beth Gillan, 43, never thought she would be one of the one in 50 women that would be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. And she said if she knew about the ABC acronym, she would have gone to the doctors sooner.

However Beth, from Lyme Regis, counts herself as one of the lucky ones. When she did visit her GP he referred her for tests quickly: a CA125 blood test and an ultrasound scan.

She said: “I know many women struggle to get off the starting blocks with their GPs, as we know diagnosis is often late – my GP was right on the ball. I would encourage all women to talk about their bodies and have a greater understanding of what is normal and what is not. We must empower the next generation – I have two daughters and I want them to know their ABC.”

Ovarian cancer mostly affects women over the age of 50 but more than 1000 younger women each year also develop ovarian cancers. The cause of the disease is still not known, but women who have inherited the faulty BRCA genes 1 and 2 are at greater risk – these genes can be inherited from either your mother or father.

Beth, who now runs Nanny Thornton’s Teas, has made a good recovery from her cancer treatment. “It was not an easy road; it made me re-think my life totally. I was so grateful for the support I had from the GO Girls – they really did help me at an incredibly bleak time and continue to be there for me as I need them.”

Hilary Maxwell, chairman of GO Girls said: “Our ABC campaign and simple animation highlights the key symptoms of ovarian cancer. With an expected 15 per cent rise in cases by 2035, it’s so important we highlight key symptoms so women will be diagnosed sooner.”

For more information about the GO Girls campaign visit www.gogirlssupport.org/abc