While most women are familiar with checking their breasts for signs of cancer, few are aware of the symptoms of what has been known as "the silent killer".

Ovarian cancer is the biggest gynaecological cause of death of women in the UK. Nearly 7,000 women are diagnosed with it each year and 70 per cent of them die within five years of their diagnosis.

But new research has revealed that there are symptoms that can alert women and doctors to its possible presence. This could be key, as currently two out of three cases aren't diagnosed until the disease has spread – and by then, treatment options may be limited.

Last autumn, a Department of Health initiative involving clinicians, researchers and specialist charities highlighted three common symptoms including pelvic and abdominal pain, persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes) and difficulty eating or feeling full.

Peter Reynolds, chief executive of Ovarian Cancer Action, describes the results as a breakthrough. If detected while still contained in the ovary, women's chances of surviving the cancer are greatly enhanced – estimated at 90 per cent.

"Awareness of this disease is worryingly low," he says.

"The old description of it as 'silent' totally failed to alert women about what to be aware of and also gave the wrong impression that there was nothing they could do about it.

"It's extremely positive that we can now say that ovarian cancer definitely is not symptomless. Not all women who have it will experience symptoms, but the majority will."

The charity is marking March – which is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month – with a Love Women awareness campaign.

"Our own research found that most women can't name a single symptom of ovarian cancer," says Peter. "Only eight per cent of those surveyed could name a symptom.

"That must change so women can seek medical advice quickly."

Ovarian cancer has generally been regarded by doctors as difficult to diagnose, as some of the symptoms are common to other causes such as diet or conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. This is coupled with the fact that the average GP will only see one ovarian cancer case every five years.

Symptom information is being circulated to GPs throughout England and Wales, and MP David Lammy, Minister for Higher Education, whose mother died from ovarian cancer last year, is supporting the campaign.

"Ovarian cancer is not a silent killer – as I am now acutely aware after losing my mother," he says. "But late diagnosis seems a pattern with this disease.

"Looking back, it seems amazing my mother Rose's cancer went undetected for so long. She had lost weight, felt bloated and constipated and had back pain, but none of us thought for a minute it was cancer.

"We owe it to the women we love to be much more aware of this disease so we can encourage them to seek medical help quickly if they experience any of the common symptoms persistently.

"Simply too many women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK are dying."

For more information on Ovarian Cancer Awareness month call 020 8238 7605 or visit www.ovarian.org.uk