The Importance of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Catherine Forsythe

Bio: know a bit about computer security, dogs, horses, skiing, medicine and making risotto. My nickname in real life/online is "Noggie" - I'm on Twitter, with the @dogreader account.

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2011 12:00PM

Rate: 14 Flag

On September 1st, 2011, President Obama issued a proclamation that September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

There is no universal screening test for ovarian cancer. Often, there is a confusion that a Pap test acts as a screening tool for ovarian cancer. It does not. A Pap test is a screening procedure for cervical cancer.

"... the mortality rates for ovarian cancer have not improved in thirty years since the "War on Cancer" was declared. However, other cancers have shown a marked reduction in mortality, due to the availability of early detection tests and improved treatments. Unfortunately, this is not the case with ovarian cancer, which is still the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers."

link: Statistics from the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

Indeed, ovarian cancer remains "the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers". In this economic climate, research funds are becoming more and more difficult to obtain. Not only are donations necessary. It is crucial that agencies and programs be maintained. A continual, sustained focus on finding a valid and reliable screening test - with subsequent effective treatment - does have a foundation in awareness and legislation. It is important to take action and hold the focus in defeating this horrendous disease.

Catherine Forsythe

some additional links to online resources:

National Cancer Institute

Mayo Clinic online

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Ovarian Cancer Australia

Ovarian Cancer Canada

Teal Ribbon

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health, ovarian cancer

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Comments

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Thank you for sharing this info. When I first read up on ovarian cancer in high school, twenty yars ago, I was shocked by it. Screening is difficult. All these years later- no test yet. Rep. Pat Schroeder said we fund our fears. Time to fund this one.

Maureen Andrade

September 05, 2011 12:30 PM

This is a timely reminder, Catherine. The biggest problem in diagnosing this disease is that even though there are symptoms, they're vague and can be written off easily - bloating, feeling full quickly after eating, abdominal pain and frequent urination. It's usually not diagnosed until it's too late. A reliable screening test would save so many lives.

Margaret Feike

September 05, 2011 12:49 PM

Thanks for posting a second story regarding awareness of this cancer.

Mary Stanik

September 05, 2011 02:28 PM

Sept is also Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
while it is a slow growing cancer, one in six American men will get it. There's no reason for this because of early detection. Thanks for posting this CF. These awareness things are important.

Bernadine Spitzsnogel

September 05, 2011 03:58 PM

There's a family history of ovarian cancer in my family, so I really appreciate this awareness month. Thanks for posting this, Catherine.

Eve Collins

September 05, 2011 04:20 PM

Take some funding off the war machine and fund the real battles out there. That would be wonderful.

SheilaTGTG55

September 05, 2011 04:27 PM

Thank you, Catherine...we are all in your debt for this.

Mary Ann Sorrentino

September 05, 2011 05:22 PM

Catherine,
Thank you for posting this important information. Here's to the teal ribbon.

Diary of a Hopeful Starving Student

September 05, 2011 05:23 PM

Catherine: Shanghai Baby did a post about this too. She is a recent survivor, who is alive because she was eligible for the new federal health care plan. $360 a month premiums saved her life.

Kathryn O'Hehir

September 05, 2011 06:09 PM

I noticed all the people who have left a comment are female. There, Catherine, is part of the problem.

Megan McDonald

September 05, 2011 07:42 PM

Thank you for this post, Catherine. I had never heard of ovarian cancer until I was told I probably had it. Most of the time, it's not diagnosed until Stage III or IV (mine was IIIB), when it's harder to treat. I benefited from a very smart and kind doctor and new drugs, but I know more women who have died of this disease than those who haven't recurred. Four years out from chemo, I'm blessed.