Women are being advised to watch out for the signs of ovarian cancer on World Ovarian Cancer Day.

Some 361 women are diagnosed with the disease in this country each year and 266 women die from it.

It's the fourth most common female cancer in Ireland but prognosis is poor compared to other forms of the disease.

Jill Lyons, Communications Manager with Breakthrough Cancer Research, says early diagnosis is vital.

"If you have constant bloating, if you're eating less and feeling full symptom, if you have abdominal pains that won't go away.

"If you have these symptoms then we would encourage you to talk to your GP."