Kate Nazar noticed she was suffering from some odd symptoms -- she would get bloated, often felt tired, and her menstrual cycle wasn't regular.

Nazar, 30, never questioned it. The vice-president of a financial firm with an active three-year-old, she figured it was fatigue caused by a busy life.

"You sometimes think your body is telling you to slow down. You certainly don't think it's cancer," she said. "I probably should have questioned it more."

One day Nazar fainted. She was taken to hospital, and that's when she learned she had ovarian cancer.

She is not alone. About 96 per cent of Canadian women can't identify the symptoms of ovarian cancer, according to a new survey by Decima Research released Wednesday.

The study also suggests that 12 per cent of women claim to have never heard of ovarian cancer, and one in three women believe that a Pap test screens for ovarian cancer -- which is untrue.

Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden of the University of Ottawa says those results are disturbing because there is no early screening for the detection of ovarian cancer.

In fact, ovarian cancer is the most fatal of gynecological cancers, and kills more than 60 per cent of those diagnosed.

"So it is really important to be aware of what the early symptoms are," Vanderhyden told CTV News.

When detected early, more than 90 per cent of cases can be treated effectively. However, when it's picked up later, the odds aren't as good.

"These cases are much more difficult to treat effectively and the survival rate drops down toward 25 to 30 per cent," said Vanderhyden.

In an effort to get the word out, the National Ovarian Cancer Association (NOCA) is going to launch a Canada-wide public awareness campaign called "Turn Up the Volume."

Ads running on TV and in newspapers in the coming months will attempt to speak loudly about the common symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Swelling of the abdomen or bloating
• Changes in urinary frequency
• Changes in weight
• Nausea

This Sunday, the NOCA is also hosting a Walk of Hope across Canada. Cities involved include St. John's, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Comox Valley, B.C.

"We've used soft language to talk and we believe it's time to stop whispering about it and start shouting," said Elisabeth Ross, the executive director of the NOCA.

Over 2,400 Canadian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, and 1,500 died of the disease annually.

Risk factors increase among women who:

• Are over the age of 50
• Have a history of ovarian, breast or colon cancer
• Have never had children
• Have never used oral contraceptives
• Are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent

Nazar underwent aggressive chemotherapy and is now two years into her remission. She is also helping to warn others of a disease that she never saw coming.

"I thought, I'm a survivor. I have to get out there and talk about this."