12 May, 2025
On World Ovarian Cancer Day, 8th May, an impressive array of Ireland’s public buildings and landmarks are lighting up in teal, the signature colour of the campaign for ovarian cancer awareness throughout the world.
Generously agreeing to ‘Light Up in Teal’ in support of this global initiative are;
Aras Mac Dhiarmada, Dublin; Casino Marino, Dublin; Clare County Council, Clare; City Hall, Cork, Cork; City Hall Limerick, Limerick; Collins Barracks, Dublin; Coombe Hospital, Dublin; Cork County Hall, Cork; Dept. of Education, Marlborough St., Dublin; Dublin Castle Bedford Tower, Dublin; Dublin Castle Chapel Royal, Dublin; East Galway and Midlands Cancer Support Centre, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway; Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Kildare St.), Dublin; Farmleigh (Water Tower), Dublin; Four Courts, Dublin; Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny; Le Poer Trench, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway; Mansion House, Dublin; National Concert Hall, Dublin; National Library, Dublin; National Museum, Dublin; Phoenix Park Roundabout, Dublin; Rock of Cashel, Tipperary; St Stephen Green – Wolfe Tone Monument, Dublin; St. James’s Hospital, Dublin; The Convention Centre Dublin, Dublin; The Shakey Bridge (Daly’s Bridge), Cork; Titanic, Belfast, Antrim.
World Ovarian Cancer Day is a global movement bringing women living with ovarian cancer, their families and supporters, patient advocacy organisations, medical practitioners and researchers together to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women in Ireland. Over 70% of women are diagnosed with advanced disease, this is partly due to the vagueness of symptoms and similarity with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, and in some cases, symptoms may not always be obvious or present at all. There is no standard screening test to pick up ovarian cancer in women who don’t have symptoms. Cervical screening does not detect ovarian cancer.
Early diagnosis can significantly improve survival – 88% of patients diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer are alive five years after diagnosis compared to 17% with stage four ovarian cancer. It is vital that women know the signs – and B-E-A-T Ovarian Cancer.
The BEAT symptoms women should be aware of:
- Bloating that is persistent and doesn’t come and go
- Eating less and feeling full more quickly
- Abdominal and pelvic pain you feel most days
- Toilet changes in urination or bowel habits
The clear message is that if a woman experiences any of these symptoms for three weeks or more, she should contact her GP.
Annually, approximately 400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and almost 300 women die from this disease in the Republic of Ireland1. In Northern Ireland, almost 300 are diagnosed and 128 women die2.
Unfortunately, more than three quarters of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed when the disease is at a late stage. This is partly due to the vagueness of symptoms and similarity with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, and in some cases, symptoms may not always be obvious or present at all.
Early diagnosis and treatment are vital and campaigners hope that the Light Up in Teal campaign will provide a timely reminder to women not to ignore the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Spread the message using the hashtags #WOCD2025 #NOWOMANLEFTBEHIND #thisisgo
For more information, please visit:
www.isgo.ie