Jackie Baillie MSP has shown her super-powered support for women with ovarian cancer across the Dumbarton Constituency.

At a special event sponsored by Ms Baillie’s Scottish Labour colleague Monica Lennon MSP, Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Women’s Health she was given the chance to dress as a ‘teal hero’ to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

The event was organised to coincide with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March.

Teal is the colour of ovarian cancer awareness, which continues to be alarmingly low in Scotland.

Data from Target Ovarian Cancer shows just 23 percent of women in Scotland 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

Jackie Baillie MSP 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.”

Alexandra Holden, Deputy Chief Executive of Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “It’s been brilliant to see MSPs 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 MSPs to make improvements in diagnosis and survival that women with ovarian cancer and their families deserve.”