Pat has enjoyed an active social life after surviving ovarian cancer

Pat Leppard, 57, from Powys, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1998.

She has joined a campaign urging women to go to their GPs if they have persistent symptoms like bloating.

Campaigners say that up to 90% of women could survive if they received treatment quickly enough.

"Women need to be assertive with their GPs," said Pat, who added that her own family doctor had acted quickly and effectively.

"I had started to put it (bloating) down to middle aged spread, and I needed to go to the loo more frequently."

"Those two things made me think 'I must check it out'."

Ovarian cancer symptoms Bloating Need to urinate more often Swollen abdomen Change in bowel habits Pain in abdomen or back Indigestion Irregular bleeding

Within weeks, she underwent surgery and was puzzled by the surgeon's words after he operated to remove the parts of her body affected by the cancer.

"I remember him saying 'It's ovarian cancer, and you have been really lucky'.

"When he went on to explain what happens more often than not, I realised I had been lucky," said Pat, who lives in Machynlleth.

The disease has claimed some high-profile victims. Actor Pierce Brosnan's first wife Cassie and American comedian Gilda Radner both died of it.

In her home town, Pat is part of the Ovarian Cancer Action campaign, which has designated March as its action month.

The campaigners have said that new research reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed 90% of women had experienced persistent signs of the disease when it was in its early stages.

"For too long, ovarian cancer has been known as the silent killer, but... even in the early stages, most women do experience some symptoms," said a spokeswoman for the campaign.

"Very frequent, sudden-onset or persistent symptoms should alert doctors to include ovarian cancer as a possible diagnosis.

"By very frequent, the researchers meant between 20 and 30 times a month," she added.

The campaigners also said that it was important for women not to worry unduly if they experienced the symptoms, which could also indicate other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.