TURN UP THE VOLUME!!!

SEPTEMBER IS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

LISTEN CLOSELY...IT WHISPERS

Fast Facts About Ovarian Cancer...

• Ovarian cancer is the most deadly type of cancer that women can develop.
• Ovarian cancer affects 1 in 70 Canadian women; is diagnosed in 2,300 - 2,600 Canadian women each year and claims 1,500 lives a year across the country.
• Ovarian cancer is currently the 5th leading cause of death among women.
• There is no early detection screening test currently.
• All women should get yearly pelvic exams.
• Ovarian cancer is difficult to treat because it's often resistant to current treatments.
• Survival rates are better at the early stage.
• Most common in older white women.
• A small number of ovarian cancers are hereditary, linked to the same genes that are linked to breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2.
• The best person to treat ovarian cancer is a gynecologic oncologist.

The Silent Killer

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the "silent killer' because ovarian cancer symptoms are few and often mimic that of many other illnesses. There may be no symptoms present in the early stages, and if there are they are very slight and vague.

Symptoms

Have you been diagnosed with?

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Gastritis
• Depression
• Stress
• Urinary tract infection
• Constipation

OR, do you have No clear diagnosis, despite persisting symptoms?

Common warning symptoms include:

• Abdominal bloating or discomfort
• Changes in bowel function
• Unexplained weight gain and a distended abdomen from fluid build-up
• Nausea
• Infertility or changes in menstruation patterns

If these symptoms persist for three weeks or longer, see your health practitioner immediately. The list of symptoms may make for scary reading. It can be very worrying to think that you may have the signs and symptoms of a malignant disease. Remember, ovarian cancer is a relatively uncommon disease. Although it can occur at any age, ovarian cancer rates rise after menopause, peaking from age 60-75. The hereditary form, found in families where many close relatives have or had ovarian cancer, tends to occur at an earlier age. Failure to find the disease in its early stages is partly due to lack of sensitive detection tests and to the fact that health care providers and women themselves may ignore warning symptoms.

For more information, go to:

Canadian Cancer Society

National Ovarian Cancer Association

Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

Hereditary Breast + Ovarian Cancer Foundation