#GCAM Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

I follow the Foundation for Women's Cancer and loved the design of this graphic for #GCAM. I would change the hashtag #ASKHER to #ASKME. 

 

 

There is NO screening test for ovarian cancer. That is why it is so important for women to know the symptoms of the disease. If these symptoms last more than 2 weeks please see your gynecologist. 

bloating, 

urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency), 

pelvic or abdominal pain,

 difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

Mentioning the pain I was having on the left side of my pelvis to my gynecologist during my annual exam made a difference in my life. I thought it was nothing - a pulled muscle maybe. But she knew it didn't sound right and she sent me for a transvaginal ultrasound.  I was on my was to a diagnosis. 

Next post will be about Family History and Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer. 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! 

September is OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

I am not sure where the month of August went and here we are starting September. If you have followed me for any period of time you are probably already aware that September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Teal is the awareness color for ovarian cancer. 

Teal Awareness Ribbon for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 

 Let me start with these important facts:

There is no screening test for ovarian cancer. 

Approximately 20,890 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the US in 2025. *

Approximately 12,730 women will die in the US in 2025 due to  ovarian cancer.* 

 

I have been an advocate for ovarian cancer research for 15+ years.  While we have made strides in treatments( VEGF inhibitors, Anti-body drug conjugates,  immunotherapies) there is no cure.  That is why raising funds for research is so important. 

This year due to NIH funding cuts raising awareness of ovarian cancer and more importantly funds for research take on a greater urgency. I will be posting symptom and risk information as well as other resources throughout the month in my small effort to raise awareness.  

I will be raising funds for research this year by walking on Sept 28, 2025 at the Kaleidoscope of Hope Ovarian Cancer Foundation walk at Loantaka Brook Park in Morristown. Join me, my family and friends as we walk as Team Determined. We are walking to honor the memory of a dear friend, Mary Lu, who passed away in July due to ovarian cancer. Donate to Team Determined at https://www.classy.org/team/766060. 

If you live in other areas of the country, check to see if there will be walks or other fundraising events being run by ovarian cancer organizations by you. Or donate to support research through OCRA or Foundation for Women's Cancer .

Thank you in advance. 

 Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!  

* https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer/key-statistics.html

 

 

SGO Annual Mtg 2023 Highlights - Participation

I returned recently from an exciting and informative SGO Annual Meeting. Over the next few days I will highlight research results that I found most impactful to patients, survivors and caregivers.  This blog post will be on participation and will cover how other advocates and I  participated in the meeting. 

The Foundation for Women's Cancer held a Patient Education Forum on Friday. They presented information on ovarian, endometrial, cervical rare gynecologic cancers as well as information on exercise, advocacy  and other topics. Some survivors shared the story of diagnosis and treatment. The room was filled with survivors, caregivers and advocates as well as organizations that support women with gyn cancers. 

Later that evening advocates were invited to the Foundation for Women's Cancer reception. Advocates were able to meet each other as well as gyn oncs, researchers and leadership of the Foundation. 

@SGO #sgomtgs #patientspurposeporgress ⁦@GYNCancer⁩ reception with ⁦@womenofteal⁩ ⁦@AdrienneEcana⁩ ⁦@Stigetta⁩ Ready for the annual meeting! pic.twitter.com/oUBeHE4ebJ

— DineoKhabeleMD (@DKhabeleMD) March 24, 2023

Saturday was a busy day. As a member of the SGO Communication Committee, I had the opportunity to participate in the  Education Forum Media Readiness session. I was part of a role play session on how to use different techniques such as pivot, personalize, deflect,acknowledge, and broaden when being interviewed by the media. As an advocate I am asked to comment on new treatments or breaking news and the tips shared during the session were helpful to me.

Patient Advocate @womenofteal on the panel! @SGO 2023 Annual Meeting! Communications C’tee Education Forum on media readiness #SGOmtg #PatientsPurposeProgress #GYNcsm pic.twitter.com/412oLo7Nb1

— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 25, 2023

During the very next session Annie Ellis, survivor and advocate, presented Long-term survivors speak: perspectives on progress, during a Scientific Plenary Session. Annie and I  held a roundtable Zoom meeting and also surveyed long term ovarian cancer survivors about progress,  patient needs, and what ovarian cancer survivors want their doctor to know. It was so exciting to see Annie present and to hear the applause and comments that followed!

 

 

If you have questions about our abstract, don't hesitate to reach out to me for further details. 

On Sunday, the  Patient Education Committee held a advocate poster walk in which advocates were able view posters and to listen and ask questions of the poster authors. We were also given the opportunity to vote for the  Patient Advocate Hope Award winner. It was wonderful to see so many early career clinicians and researchers present their research. 

 

 I'll continue my highlight blog posts over the next few days.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing