September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. It is the time when attention is focused on the ovarian cancer community to increase understanding about the disease. During September, the ovarian cancer community also honors the survivors and victims of the disease as well as their families and friends.

This year, though, the Alliance’s Partner Member organizations are adding “Teal Time” on Friday, September 7 to their list of activities. On this day, people will wear the color teal and rally support for others to do so as well.

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.

Partner Member organizations are devising a range of activities. The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation in Philadelphia plans to trim the famous houses of Boathouse Row with teal lights. Meanwhile, members of Ovar’coming Together in Indianapolis are planning to hang teal ribbons around their workplaces and neighborhoods. Members will also give out free symptoms cards.

The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida plans to launch a media campaign, send an e-mail blast, and set up a phone bank, in partnership with local hospitals, where nurses will answer questions posed by callers to local radio stations.

What can you do in your community on September 7?

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer is the Deadliest of the Gynecologic Cancers
Early detection can improve survival rates from 30 percent when detected at the advanced stage to over 90 percent when detected before the cancer has spread beyond the ovary. Be alert to changes in your body.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance endorses the following consensus statement on ovarian cancer’s symptoms. The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Cancer Society led the effort to form this consensus statement which was released June 13, 2007.

Historically ovarian cancer was called the “silent killer” because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies have shown this term is untrue and that the following symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population. These symptoms include:

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.

Several other symptoms have been commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer. These symptoms include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities. However, these other symptoms are not as useful in identifying ovarian cancer because they are also found in equal frequency in women in the general population who do not have ovarian cancer.

Take Action!
Consult a health care professional if any symptoms persist or feel abnormal.

Experts recommend a complete pelvic/rectal exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and a CA 125 blood test. Pap tests do not detect ovarian cancer.

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