The American Cancer Society and the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance Urge Women to Know Their Bodies
Denver, Colo. September 13, 2010: This year in Colorado alone, an estimated 210 women will lose their battle with ovarian cancer. Nationwide the American Cancer Society estimates suggest more than 21,000 women will be diagnosed this year and of those more than 13,000 will die. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
Unlike cervical cancer, there is no screening test for ovarian cancer, making symptom recognition and regular pelvic examinations the primary ways to detect the cancer early. However, ovarian cancer is not detected in a pap smear. Symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
“By teaming up with the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA), we can help spread awareness about this disease,” says Regional Vice President of the American Cancer Society, Karen Hill. “Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of all reproductive cancers and we want women to be aware of the symptoms.”
“Just since COCA’s inaugural June, 2010 Walk/Run, we have lost women at a rapid rate. In Colorado, one woman dies every one and a half days from ovarian cancer. We need a test for earlier detection and more effective treatments. We need a cure and we need medical professionals to diagnose women at the earliest onset. All women—and men--need to know the risk factors and symptoms of ovarian cancer,” said Mary Phillips, COCA board president and five-year ovarian cancer survivor.
To further educate women, their families and loved ones in the Denver Metro area, the University of Colorado Cancer Center will hold a free public forum Wednesday, September 15, from 6-8PM at the Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, Room 2005, where a team of gynecologic oncologists will answer general questions in a question and answer session about ovarian cancer. Please call 720-848-0316 for more information about this event.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
About COCA
The Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA), a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit established in June, 2005, promotes awareness about ovarian cancer through advocacy, education and support. COCA is a partner member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA). COCA advocates for women with ovarian cancer through participation in activities at the local, state and national levels with its annual September March on the Capitol and annual June COCA Run/Walk. COCA educates women, families, doctors and health care providers about early detection of ovarian cancer through its Survivors Teaching Students™ program and COCA Speakers Bureau, and COCA supports survivors through Nicki's Circle Ovarian Cancer Support Groups. For more information, call 1 (800) 428-0642 or go to www.colo-ovariancancer.org.
