- Conference
- 2026 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 17 October 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes:
1)Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer among women in the UK, with over 7,000 women diagnosed each year.
2)Early diagnosis is critical — when caught in the early stages, 9 in 10 women survive. Yet, due to vague symptoms and lack of awareness, around two-thirds of cases are diagnosed late, often at Stage III or IV.
3)Symptoms can be easily mistaken for other conditions and include persistent bloating, feeling full quickly, pelvic or abdominal pain, and urinary frequency.
4)There is no effective screening programme for ovarian cancer, and women are often not aware of the signs or risk factors until it’s too late.
5)Sharon Hodgson MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ovarian Cancer, has long campaigned for earlier diagnosis, better awareness, and equitable access to treatment across the UK and achievements and proposals so far include The APPG’s report “Diagnosing ovarian cancer sooner: what more can be done?” (2018) laid out recommendations including better awareness, more consistent genetic testing, improved diagnostic pathways, etc. Inclusion of ovarian cancer in “Be Clear on Cancer” awareness campaigns. Parliamentary debates and written questions to hold government to account on implementing recommendations and public awareness efforts (e.g. “Teal Hero” campaign) to draw attention to the disease among both public and healthcare professionals.
Conference believes:
1)Women’s health continues still, to be underfunded, misunderstood, and deprioritised – especially when it comes to conditions like ovarian cancer that mainly affect women.
2)UNISON as the UK’s largest women-majority union, have a key role to play in raising awareness, campaigning for better health policy, and supporting members impacted by cancer.
3)Increased awareness could save lives, especially among our members, many of whom work in health and care sectors and may also be supporting patients or family members with cancer.
4)to ensure that all UNISON women members are informed, empowered, and supported when it comes to their health – and that no woman faces ovarian cancer alone or unheard.
We call upon National Women’s Committee:
1)To Work with labour link and relevant bodies to Support and promote Sharon Hodgson MP’s campaign to increase awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms and improve early diagnosis across the UK.
2)Work with LAOS so we can raise awareness within UNISON branches and workplaces, particularly during March (Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month), using UNISON communications, posters, and workplace briefings.
3)Work with UNISON Health Service Group executive and Unison Health Branches to work with NHS employers and health boards to include ovarian cancer symptom awareness in staff health campaigns and occupational health programmes.
4)Work with Labour Link to Call on the UK Government and devolved administrations to fund more research into early detection methods and improve access to rapid diagnostics.
5)Work with Community and Voluntary Organisations Branch and relevant bodies to work with health charities, including Target Ovarian Cancer and the Eve Appeal, to ensure UNISON members have access to accurate information, peer support, and signposting.
6)Report back at Conference 2027
