Turn Up The Volume On Ovarian Cancer
“One day my ‘big sis’ Diane experienced unexpected weight gain, followed by bloating, and then pain. At first, doctors thought it was her gallbladder. Much later, we learned that it was 4th-stage ovarian cancer. After a 3-year battle, my sister died from this devastating disease, just two weeks before her 40th birthday.
Today, I live with regret. If only we had know then, what I now know today. Understanding the symptoms, risk factors and tests for ovarian cancer could have saved my sister’s life. That’s why I’m so passionate about honoring her courageous fight through grassroots educational efforts as Chairman of the Speaker’s Bureau for Ovar’coming Together—to fight ovarian cancer. I couldn’t save my big sister. But together, perhaps we can save yours."
About Ovarian Cancer
- It is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers
- Ovarian cancer strikes 1 out of every 67 women
- Over 22,000 new cases are diagnosed annually
- No screening test is available for ovarian cancer
Symptoms Include
- Unusual fatigue
- Bloating, a feeling of fullness, gas, indigestion or constipation
- Bladder infections that don't improve after treatment
- A loss or an increase in appetite
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Ask Your Doctor
If you experience these symptoms and they have NO clear cause, request the following:
- A pelvic/rectal exam
- Vaginal ultra-sound
- CA 125 blood test
- Ask to be referred to a gynecological oncologist, a physician who specializes in cancers of the reproductive system
For more info on ovarian cancer and our Speaker’s Bureau program, please visit the Ovar’coming Together website at: www.ovarian-cancer.org.
"Because there's no place like hope!"