Advocacy | Focus on Ovarian Cancer

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September is the USA's National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. EOTP wants to make sure you are informed about ovarian cancer risk, detection, and treatment.

September is National Ovarian Cancer Month in the U.S.

This month US citizens have the opportunity to generate more awareness of ovarian cancer, the so-called "whispering" cancer. The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition wants you to know

Ovarian Cancer. It whispers...so listen!

Following is a list of things we can do, no matter which country we live in, to promote awareness of ovarian cancer among our medical providers, grandmothers, mothers, aunts, nieces, daughters and granddaughters:

1. Learn to listen to the whisper! Make sure you and your loved ones have a yearly pelvic exam and know the whispering symptoms of ovarian cancer:
   • Bloating, a feeling of fullness, gas
   • Frequent or urgent urination
   • Nausea, indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea
   • Menstrual disorders, pain during intercourse
   • Fatigue, backaches
     

   See your gynecologist if these symptoms persist. Ask for a combination pelvic/rectal exam, CA125 blood test, and a transvaginal sonogram.

2. Walk in the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's (NOCC) Walk for the Whisper or participate in other awareness events in your area.
   
   
3. Wear the teal ribbon for ovarian cancer awareness.
   
   
4. Write to your local media and tell them that you think that developing a reliable ovarian cancer screening test for all women is essential and that the public needs more coverage of gynecologic cancers. Direct them to pr@EyesOnThePrize.Org if they want personal stories of ovarian cancer survivors.
   
   
5. Contact your political representatives and tell them you want more money for research on ovarian cancer early detection, especially a reliable screening test.
   
   
6. US citizens: write to your members of Congress and urge them to support the bill H.R. 326 to amend the Public Health Act to fund ovarian cancer research and awareness.
   
   
7. Write or call your local health program on radio or TV. Tell them about National Ovarian Cancer month in the US and about EyesOnThePrize.Org Have them contact pr@EyesOnThePrize.Org for follow-up.
   
   
8. Provide your medical providers an EyesOnThePrize.Org poster and handout cards for newly diagnosed women in their offices! Print the poster and cards out from the tools section of EyesOnThePrize.Org
   
   
9. Wear the Iris and EOTP logo on our EyesOnThePrize.Org sweatshirts or T-shirts. When friends and family ask about it you can proudly tell them that you wear it to increase awareness of ovarian and all gynecologic cancers.
   
   
10. Tell us your ideas for ovarian cancer awareness so we can share them at the Advocacy section of EyesOnThePrize.Org!

Frequently Asked Questions about ovarian cancer

• Ovarian cancer
• Ovarian cancer risk factors
• Ovarian cancer symptoms and diagnosis
• Diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer:
  • CA125 blood test
  • Transvaginal ultrasound
  • CT scans
  • Hysterectomy and oophorectomy
  • Chemotherapy

Stories of ovarian cancer survivors

• Betsy K., Pennsylvania, USA, stage 3c
• Carolyn G., Pennsylvania, USA, stage 3
• Cyndee D., Pennsylvania, USA, stage 3
• Gina, Pennsylvania, USA, recurrent germ cell
• Ginny, Delaware, USA, stage 3c
• Margaret, Pennsylvania, USA
• Roberta, Pennsylvania, USA
• Terri A., Michigan, USA, stage 3c

"Ask the Pros" on ovarian cancer

• What is Mullerian Inhibiting substance analysis and how is it used for ovarian cancer testing?
• What is "Breast/Ovarian Cancer Syndrome"?
• Is is possible to get ovarian cancer even if your ovaries have been removed?
• What conditions other than ovarian cancer can cause an elevated CA-125?
• Please provide information on Mullerian Ovarian cancer and the current most effective treatment, including types of chemotherapy.
• What is Sertoli-leydig Ovarian Tumor with poorly differentiated cells?

Resources for learning more about ovarian cancer

• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
• EOTP's links to other ovarian cancer sites
• Information on diagnosis and treatment for ovarian and other gyn cancers

Getting active about ovarian cancer

• Things you can do to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and reduce your risk

Talk about ovarian cancer

• Join the EyesOnThePrize.Org email discussion list. Send a blank email to:

eyesontheprize-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

• Search for an ovarian cancer support group in our "In Your Community" support group database

   

Many thanks to the members of the NOCC/Pittsburgh Division for their help in putting this "Focus on Ovarian Cancer" together!