Mail Online

ALWAYS ON PAIN PILLS? IT MIGHT BE A WARNING SIGN

TRACKING women’s shopping habits by analysing loyaltycard data can help spot ovarian cancer months earlier.

That was the surprising conclusion of a study by Imperial College London that could give women a much greater chance of successful treatment and surviving this disease.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer in the early stages can be indistinct, such as heartburn, bloating and abdominal discomfort, so it is often diagnosed in the late stages when it’s much harder to treat. But Imperial’s analysis of loyalty cards belonging to women who went on to develop ovarian cancer found they were buying painkillers and indigestion remedies as much as eight months before they realised there was something seriously wrong and sought medical help.

I’d be happy to give up my Boots card data if it was used to flag up serious problems, but a scheme like this is some way off. In the meantime, it’s important that women don’t just soldier on. Feeling unwell or in pain for weeks or months isn’t normal and no one should be brushing it off.

Health

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2023-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-29T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/282660396558271

dmg media (UK)