Joel James MS Conservative regional member, has shown his super-powered support for women
with ovarian cancer across South Wales Central at a special event sponsored by Hannah Blythyn MS
on Ovarian Cancer on 23rd March.

MSs were given the chance to dress as ‘teal heroes’ to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian
cancer at an event organised for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March.

Teal is the colour of ovarian cancer awareness, which continues to be alarmingly low in Wales. Data
from Target Ovarian Cancer, shows just 27 per cent of women in Wales would be able to name
bloating as a symptom of ovarian cancer

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
 Persistent bloated tummy
 Always feeling full
 Tummy pain
 Needing to wee more often or more urgently

Joel James said: “Over 4,000 women in the UK die of ovarian cancer each year, and awareness of the
key symptoms remains too low. We must come together and act now to make sure everyone knows
what look out for, and that those affected by ovarian cancer face better outcomes. That’s why I was
delighted to join others and take part in this year’s Teal Hero event with Target Ovarian Cancer to
create positive progress.”

Hannah Blythyn MS, sponsor for the teal heroes event in the Senedd, said: “It was great to host this
event and become a Teal Hero alongside my colleagues today. Over 300 women are diagnosed with
ovarian cancer each year in Wales, and we need to see vital improvement in awareness to change
these statistics – we all have a part to play. Together with fantastic charities like Target Ovarian
Cancer, we can create the change we so urgently need.”

Alexandra Holden, Deputy Chief Executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “It’s been brilliant to see
MSs become awareness superheroes today. We know that much more needs to be done to increase
awareness of ovarian cancer and save lives. It is so important that we continue to come together at
events like this to work to transform the future of ovarian cancer. We look forward to continuing to
work with these MSs to make improvements in diagnosis and survival that women with ovarian
cancer and their families deserve.”

Over 7,000 women are diagnosed each year in the UK, and over 4,000 women lose their lives each
year. Target Ovarian Cancer works to raise the profile of ovarian cancer, spread the word about the
symptoms, and train GPs in early diagnosis. Visit targetovariancancer.org.uk to find out more.