OvCa Awareness: Wear Teal Sept. 7

[Casey06]

From Ovarian Cancer National Alliance:

Alliance Partner Members Nationwide to Sponsor “Teal Time” on Sept. 7 for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Wearing the Color Teal Is Reminder That Ovarian Cancer Is the Deadliest of the Gynecologic Cancers; Knowing the Symptoms Can Save Lives


Each year, approximately 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 15,000 women die. The overall five-year relative survival rate for women with ovarian cancer is 45 percent. However, survival rate improves greatly – to 93 percent – if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, before it has spread. Currently, only 19 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in this early stage.

Partner Member organizations of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance want to change these statistics. To raise awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms, these organizations will sponsor “Teal Time” on Friday, September 7. Alliance Partner Members across the United States will wear the color teal and encourage others to do so as a focal point during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month activities.

Partner Members – local and state ovarian cancer groups – will spread the message about wearing teal to ovarian cancer patients, survivors, advocates, caregivers, family, friends, co-workers and others who want to raise awareness about this disease.

Teal is the ovarian cancer community’s color – like pink is for breast cancer – and a reminder that ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all the cancers of the reproductive system and a leading cause of cancer death among women.

The idea for “Teal Time” was conceived by Alliance co-founder Bonnie Donihi, executive director of the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida in Orlando. “It’s time to get loud about a disease that will again take 15,000 women’s lives this year,” Ms. Donihi said.

Ovarian cancer’s symptoms are subtle, difficult to diagnose and often misdiagnosed. Contrary to popular opinion, a Pap smear does NOT test for ovarian cancer – it is a screening for cervical cancer. Because there is not a reliable screening test, less than one in five women will be diagnosed in the early stages of ovarian cancer. However, with early diagnosis, more than nine out of 10 women will survive for more than five years.

Many people mistakenly believe that there are no symptoms. However, published research has proven that at least 80 percent of women with early-stage ovarian cancer have symptoms for several months prior to diagnosis. While certain factors – including a personal or family history of ovarian, breast or colorectal cancer – can increase a woman’s risk, every woman is susceptible to the disease.

The following symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population. These symptoms include:


Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies. The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several studies show that even early-stage ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms.

Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early-stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, the nation’s voice for ovarian cancer issues, is a survivor-led umbrella organization uniting activists, women’s health advocates and health care professionals in the effort to increase public and professional understanding of ovarian cancer and to advocate for more effective diagnostics, treatments and a cure.

[Casey06]

Hi Bob,

I will think of you and your daughter this Friday and always!

I love the color teal (since I am a redhead) but I love it even more now!

Keep up the fight and God Bless!!

[Casey06]

I am glad that this info was helpful to you. Keep the great positive attitude and keep working with your doctors! We are all here to help support you!.

I had a "near miss" with OvCa, having been diagnosed with Borderline Tumor, so no chemo needed for me. I was very lucky compared to all you brave ladies!

I work in the Mammography business so was aware of cancer, but there is nothing like experiencing it personnally.

After my experience and trouble with getting some doctors to take my symptoms seriously, I am going to do my part for Ovarian Cancer Awareness.

Here is a good site:
http://www.ovarian.org/

You can get teal wristbands and magnets and info. Order some for your friends and family and like they say..."Break the Silence" about Ovarian Cancer.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for the feedback.

[bmcd]

I always wear my teal "rubber band" cancer bracelet and will definately be wearing it that day.  I will wear it until I know my daughter has beaten this beast.  Thanks for the information.  It is good to see some awareness starting to ramp up for ovca.

Take Care and God Bless,
Bob

[horselady1]

Thank you so much for this information.
I have been fighting stage 1 ovarian cancer since first having surgery last November. I was unawre that we even had a color to represent our cause. I have being feeling a little left behind and forgotten compared to all the breast cancer organizations and support groups. Most companies even sponsor walks for breast cancer or at the most maybe take part in Relay for Life (great org). There really needs to be more attention given to ovarian cancer.
Early detection is usually by accident, like mine. I actually had mild to moderate abdominal pains. I attributed it to period cramps. I'm still uncertain if it had anything to do with the cancer. I also just happen to be one of the  few stage 1 patient's that doesn't respond to chemo. I'm still fighting. Beginning round 3 tomorrow.
I will absolutely be sure to wear teal of Friday. I already passed this info on to my friends and family to forward on before writing to you.
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!