September means back to school time and also Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is a disease we ALL need to be aware of, because many of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are nonspecific, such as abdominal pressure, bloating, and pelvic pain. This means the disease is hard to detect early. Only 20% of ovarian cancers are found before the tumor has spread beyond the ovaries. The American Cancer Society reports ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S.
This year more than 20,000 women in the United States will develop ovarian cancer, and 15,000 will die from the disease.
Because of the aggressive nature of the disease and the nonspecific symptoms it is important that women be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, because the sooner the cancer is found and treated, the better the chance for recovery. Ovarian cancer usually occurs in women over age 50, but can affect younger women. Many times, women with ovarian cancer have no symptoms or just mild symptoms until the disease is advanced and hard to treat. YOU know your body best!
If you have any symptoms that are not normal for you, such as pain in the pelvic or abdominal area or bloating that lasts longer than 2 weeks see your doctor. Also if you have any vaginal bleeding that is NOT normal for you talk to your doctor. There are genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 and cancers including breast and uterine that put women at increased risk for ovarian cancer. This does not mean you will develop ovarian cancer but it does mean you need to talk to your healthcare provider about your body and your individual risk for ovarian cancer. Researchers are working hard to find the exact causes and a cure for ovarian cancer. For more information about ovarian cancer click here: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/basic_info/.
Become informed and help us stop ovarian cancer. You never know the information you learn may save the life of someone you love!
XO
Dr. V