Pink.Once upon a time pink was mostly associated with sugar and spice and everything nice. Today, thanks to a myriad of activists and volunteers, (specifically Nancy Brinker) the color pink is forever linked to finding a cure for breast cancer.
Teal.
Anyone? Not even a few of you? I'd like to change that.
Three years ago my aunt wasn't feeling quite right. She was bloated and had some mild abdominal discomfort, so she (like everyone should) went to the doctor. What the doctors eventually found was a tumor the size of a small loaf of bread inside her abdomen. My aunt had ovarian cancer, and after a complete hysterectomy, rounds of chemotherapy/radiation and even a short remission, my aunt lost her battle in the Summer of 2006. She was 61.
When my aunt passed away a friend of mine made a donation to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) on my behalf. Because of this, twice a year I receive the NOCC newsletter. Yesterday I got the Fall/Winter 2008 issue. Yesterday would have been my Aunt Lydia's 64th birthday.
It is my hope that every person who reads this blog will take the time to educate themselves and a loved one about ovarian cancer. Please read below, and PLEASE... break the silence.
Facts
• All women are at risk
• Symptoms exist—they can be vague, but increase over time
• Early detection increases survival rate
• A Pap Test DOES NOT detect ovarian cancer
• All women are at risk
• Symptoms exist—they can be vague, but increase over time
• Early detection increases survival rate
• A Pap Test DOES NOT detect ovarian cancer
What are some of the risk factors linked to ovarian cancer?
While the presence of one or more risk factors may increase a woman’s chance of getting ovarian cancer, it does not necessarily mean that she will develop the disease. Risk factors include:
• Genetic predisposition
• Personal or family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer
• Increasing age
• Undesired infertility
While the presence of one or more risk factors may increase a woman’s chance of getting ovarian cancer, it does not necessarily mean that she will develop the disease. Risk factors include:
• Genetic predisposition
• Personal or family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer
• Increasing age
• Undesired infertility
What are some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Some symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
• Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
• Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion
• Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
• Ongoing unusual fatigue
• Unexplained changes in bowel habits
If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, consult your physician.
Some symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
• Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
• Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion
• Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
• Ongoing unusual fatigue
• Unexplained changes in bowel habits
If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, consult your physician.
For more information on ovarian cancer or the NOCC, please visit http://www.ovarian.org/.
3 comments:
i am sorry for your loss. i am doing a walk a thon tomorrow to raise funds and awareness for ovarian cancer. check out my post today, it is from a guest blogger who lost her mother to it. http://mommyvents.blogspot.com
WOW I am sorry for your loss! Thanks for posting that... it is always good info to know the symptoms to look for!
Thanks for the post and putting out the word...Mom had "whispers" of those symptoms until she woke up one morning and was extremely and unnaturally bloated. One chemo session behind us...we're keeping the faith and believe she will be healed. Teal...it's a good color.
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