TWO women are taking to the catwalk in a prestigious fashion and gala dinner show to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.

Sara Preston, 40, and Vicki Pini, 39, both from Basingstoke, were diagnosed with ovarian cancer also known as the in 2016.

Now, on Saturday, 9 September, they are heading to the Mayfair Hotel in London to take part in a catwalk and gala dinner named The Touch of Teal Ball.

The fashion show will feature 16 women who have all had a diagnosis of ovarian cancer during their lives, and the pair are hoping to raise awareness for a good cause.

Vicki said: “We are really excited, it should be a very good event.

“These kinds of events are really important as it is good to meet other women who are going through the same thing as we are.

“Ovarian cancer can feel very isolating because it is not very well talked about, like other more well-known types.”

There are 20 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed every day and is very difficult to diagnose, hence its name ‘the silent killer’.

Vicki was diagnosed as having stage three ovarian cancer when she was 38, she underwent chemotherapy at Basingstoke Hospital and then had surgical resection at Southampton General Hospital.

Vicki added: “It took me around four to five months to find out my diagnosis, this is because ovarian cancer is uncommon in women my age so GPs usually rule it out and put the symptoms down to something else.”

Ovarian cancer typically affects women over the age of 50 so Vicki and Sara’s cases are fairly unusual, the women both passionately want to raise awareness that it's not just older women who are susceptible to this disease.

In Vicki’s case, she was told she was in remission after her battle last year, but she has since found out her ovarian cancer has returned and she is getting ready to start another round of treatment in a few weeks.

The most common symptoms for ovarian cancer are; bloating that is persistent and does not come and go, difficulty eating or feeling full more quickly, abdominal or pelvic pain that is experienced most days.

If the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage the outcome is usually good, however there is no screening test for ovarian cancer so women who experience the symptoms are being advised to go and get it checked out by their GP or doctor.