Ovarian Cancer Awareness Is Also Celebrated In September

September Is A Busy Month When It Comes To Cancer Awareness- H&B Joins The Cause

The month of September is packed full with awareness-raising opportunities. There is so much more that we all can do in our joint battle against cancer, Early testing is the key for cancer prevention. H&B is joining in by raising awareness of ovarian cancer.

The Importance Of Early Detection

We at H&B know that more can be done to raise awareness of this terrible illness that is estimated to take the lives of more than 14,000 women this year.

The earlier a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer the better the chances that she will respond well to prescribed treatment. But unfortunately, most women are diagnosed in later stages of cancer development. This is why we like to use Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, to make sure that more and more women get their tests done as soon as possible.

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that first forms in the ovaries and may spread to other parts of the body. According to the data provided by the American Cancer Society, more than 21,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. Nearly 14,000 women are highly likely to die from the disease in the same year.

Symptoms Of Ovarian Cancer Often Go Unnoticed 

Like all cancers, the ripple damage effects of ovarian cancer reach far beyond the people who find themselves receiving the diagnosis. It affects their family, friends, and caretakers.

We can all do our part to raise awareness, help fund research, and provide support for people living with ovarian cancer and their loved ones. That’s why it’s so important to get involved in Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Ovarian cancer is a principal cause of cancer-related deaths in American women. This happens because early ovarian cancer often goes unnoticed due to having little to no symptoms.

When symptoms do appear, they tend to be wrongly associated with other illnesses and conditions. These symptoms may include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and frequent urination. Knowing the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can lead to early diagnosis and life-saving treatment.

Screening for ovarian cancer is complex, but pelvic imaging and blood tests are currently the best tests for diagnosing ovarian cancer. Increasing age and a family history of the disease are the biggest known risk factors.

Why Is There Such A High Mortality Rate With Ovarian Cancer?

The high death rate associated with ovarian cancer is mainly attributed to the fact that the disease is often diagnosed only once it has already become fairly advanced, thus making any effective treatment difficult. However, recent advances in genomics and the use of newer precision cancer medicines and maintenance therapy are beginning to bring observable improvement in expected outcomes.

Ovarian cancer is a very common malignancy in women in the United States, having about 23,000 individuals diagnosed yearly. The ovaries are female reproductive organs that reside inside the woman’s pelvis. The ovary produces female hormones and stores all of the egg cells, to release them once a month during ovulation. There are two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Egg cells are delivered from the ovaries to the uterus through hollow organs called fallopian tubes.

Because epithelial ovarian cancers start their growth deep in the pelvis, they often do not cause any noticeable external symptoms until they are at an advanced stage. Besides, many of the symptoms of ovarian cancer are hard to distinguish from similar symptoms encountered by women who do not have ovarian cancer. Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often misidentified as general back pain, passing fatigue, food-caused abdominal bloating, constipation, vague abdominal pain, and various urinary symptoms.

Because of the lack of specificity of early ovarian cancer symptoms, around 70% of all diagnosed women already have advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis. Ovarian cancer is often first suspected in women when their doctor finds an unusual pelvic growth during an internal pelvic examination. Ovarian cancer can spread to the wall of the abdominal cavity and lead to the buildup of fluid inside the abdomen.

You Can Help Raising Awareness, Too

Many scientists across the country are coming up with new treatments and techniques to improve survival rates in people with ovarian cancer.

Patient advocates and nonprofit organizations are also working to spread knowledge and improve support for people struggling with this disease.

• If you feel like joining to help their efforts, examine donating funds to an ovarian cancer research foundation, nonprofit organization, or another community initiative.

• Making a direct donation isn’t the only way that you can help raise funds for ovarian cancer research and other initiatives. You may also host or join a fundraising event or campaign.

• If you have time to spare, consider volunteering for an ovarian cancer organization or initiative in your community. Many of them rely on volunteers to help fulfill their plans and services.