World Ovarian Cancer Day

May 8

World Ovarian Cancer Day

World Ovarian Cancer Day is recognized on May 8 each year. According to Globocan’s 2020 data, ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women. In addition, it’s the eighth most common cause of death from cancer globally. For example, each year, approximately 314,000 women are diagnosed and 207,000 will die from the disease. Further, it’s anticipated that ovarian cancer incidence will rise almost 40% by 2040.

Lastly, low-resource countries are expected to bear the greatest burden. 70% of women diagnosed each year live in low- or middle-income countries. For this reason, overall data about the burden of the disease is insufficient to guide public-health priorities.

Furthermore, the 2018 Every Woman Study™ found that too many women are being left behind as they wait for diagnoses. In some situations, the reason for late diagnosis is that women are not aware of the symptoms and risk factors. They may also lack awareness about health professionals. Additionally, they may not understand the time it takes for health systems to complete diagnostic tests.

Wear a teal awareness ribbon pin, enamel awareness ribbon pin or teal silicone wristband to raise awareness about World Ovarian Cancer Day. Raising awareness can help save lives. For example, pin a ribbon to your lapel to let others know about World Ovarian Cancer Day. A good organization that supports ovarian cancer is SLOCA.org.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms of ovarian cancer have long been described as vague. Yet, in most cases, women experience very real symptoms that may be overlooked or misdiagnosed as a more benign condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or menopause.

However, experts in gynecological cancer now agree that most women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer experience one or more of these four symptoms:

Bloating.
Pelvic or abdominal pain.
Urinary urgency or frequency.
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly.

In addition, other symptoms may be present as well:

Fatigue.
Indigestion.
Back pain.
Pain with intercourse.
Constipation.
Menstrual irregularities.
Unexplained weight gain or loss.

Risk Factors

All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, but some women appear to be at a greater risk. The following factors may contribute to an increased risk:

A family history of breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer, which accounts for 5 to 10 percent of cases.
Women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have a 60% chance of being diagnosed with ovarian, breast, or colon cancer.
In addition, women who have never had children are at a higher risk. Preventive measures may include taking birth control pills for five years or more.
Women of Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage may be genetically predisposed to ovarian cancer.

Types of Ovarian Cancer Treatment

The treatment of ovarian cancer depends on the stage at which it is diagnosed. For example, treatment for ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

Surgery

Many patients will have surgery to remove as much of the cancer tissue, or tumor, as possible. This is sometimes, for example, referred to as debulking or a debulking procedure. Doing this may increase the chances that chemotherapy or radiation therapy will kill all the cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses medication to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or stopping them from dividing.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.

Immunotherapy

Lastly, immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or in a laboratory are used to boost, direct or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer.

Make a Donation – Here are a few suggestions

Here are some organizations that support ovarian cancer research and care that you can donate to:

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA)

Supports patients and survivors, educates health professionals, and advocates for research and preventive measures. You can donate by mail to PO Box 32141, New York, NY 10087-2141, or by phone at (212) 268-1002.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC)

A non-profit organization that raises awareness and promotes education about ovarian cancer. You can donate by mail to 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 1950, Dallas, TX 75251, or by phone at (888) 682-7426 or (214) 273-4200. You can also donate on Venmo.