September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month


September for many may mean the last few days enjoying the beach, adjusting to empty nest due to your newest college freshman, school supply shopping and the grind of homework, and after school sports routines. However, September for many women and their families is important because it marks the month of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

And as many are preparing their families for the season’s change they also may be preparing to turn their town the color teal in honor of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.It is President Obama’s mother who died of ovarian cancer in 1995 at the age of 53, yet it is President George Bush in September of 2005 who declared National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (U.S. Newswire) President Bush released an important proclamation recognizing the significant threat of ovarian cancer, and recommending measures to increase awareness among women nationwide.


In the proclamation, President Bush calls upon "government officials, business communities, health care professionals, educators, volunteers and all people of the United States to continue our nation's strong commitment to preventing and treating ovarian cancer."More often than not, a diagnosis of ovarian cancer brings about a major life change and the adrenaline rush of getting ready for the fight of your life. I personally know from this as I was diagnosed at the age of 24 while I was pregnant. It is now twenty years later and I am one of the women lucky enough to be turning her town teal by tying ribbons on lamp posts down main streets. Now you can honk if you know what the teal ribbons mean!! If we could, we would turn fall leaves into the color teal. The reason we choose to take on this task is simple.


It is to empower and educate women and their families surrounding this once deemed silent killer but now agreed upon by the medical community as not silent after all. According to the American Cancer Society’s statistics for 2009, this year there will be 21,550 new cases of ovarian cancer and 14,600 deaths from ovarian cancer. Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women. In fact, every 45 minutes a woman in the United States dies of Ovarian Cancer. Ovarian Cancer is an important disease because unlike breast cancer it is diagnosed in late stages where its mortality rates are unfavorable because of the lack of early detection. Some women still don’t know that a pap smear does not detect ovarian cancer! And where the costs of health care are outrageously expensive, it is necessary to the national healthcare system to find an early detection test.


Many scientists are working on blood tests and also building radio imaging devices to help come up with an acceptable early detection test in order to save women from the late diagnosis. Meanwhile, if more women and their families are aware of the symptoms it will assist with early diagnosis, which will result in more women cured. In order to self-prescreen and empower yourself and your loved ones then learn the 4, 2, 4 rule. It is important to know four (4) symptoms, which are bloating, pelvic and/or abdominal discomfort, trouble eating or feeling full too quickly, urinating often and /or feeling urgency. Don’t let any of these four symptoms go beyond (2) two weeks without reporting them and seeking the advice of a medical doctor. It is also wise to know your four (4) clues, genetic predispositions, personal or family history of breast, colon and /or ovarian cancer, increased age and undesired fertility.


The knowledge and power is in your hands and hopefully you will share the 4, 2, 4 with a friend. If you become diagnosed with ovarian cancer or know someone who may be, know that it is crucial that a gynecologist oncologist perform the surgery. This alone can increase the chances of a better outcome.We have many capable gynecologist oncologists within the Delaware Valley to handle treating ovarian cancer. It is also a right to seek a second opinion on your treatment options. So whether you have been affected by this disease or not, hopefully September will now take on a new meaning for you as you share your knowledge of the 4, 2 4 ovarian cancer rule.


Lastly, to the brave women who are being diagnosed each day, there are special people working on the frontlines to help gain ground on controlling this insidious disease. The local groups that educate women in our area are “Teal Talk on Tour 2009” of Moorestown, NJ, “Survivors Teaching Medical Students Program” and “The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.” The non-profit organizations that are working tirelessly to help find an early detection test and cure are the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, The Center For Ovarian Cancer Research and Cure at Hospital of University of Pennsylvania and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the Canary Foundation.


The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is strong voice in Washington, D.C. that serves as an educator and watchdog for policy on National law and research dollars.To find upcoming events in your area and to learn how to support this cause Twitter or Facebook: A life Changer and find out how you can help celebrate empowered women and celebrate life.