24 February teal ribbon day – ovarian cancer awareness

On Teal Ribbon Day, Ovarian Cancer Australia will continue to lead the world in generating awareness of ovarian cancer in 2010, and help save lives by informing women of the symptoms of a disease that will kill more than 850 Australian women this year, that’s one woman every 11 hours!

Teal is the colour that represents ovarian cancer throughout the world. On the eve of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in Europe and the United Kingdom, Australia’s Teal Ribbon Day on 24 February (an initiative of Ovarian Cancer Australia) will be the first in an international awareness campaign in 2010 aimed at informing women globally about ovarian cancer’s signs and symptoms which could save their lives.

Paula Benson, director of Ovarian Cancer Australia and a survivor of ovarian cancer said, “In the past ovarian cancer has often been referred to as a ‘silent killer’ but we now know that it is NOT silent because scientific evidence has shown that many women DO experience symptoms that if acted on, could result in an earlier diagnosis and a better chance of beating the disease.

“Ovarian cancer is the 6th most common cause of cancer death among Australian women today. Because there is no early detection test, currently 75% of women are diagnosed when the cancer is in the advanced stages and tragically, will lose their battle with the disease.

“The sad reality is that if diagnosed earlier, the majority of these women would have had a better chance of survival. This is why awareness and early detection is critical in saving lives,” Ms Benson said.

“We know that if ovarian cancer is caught in the early stages by identifying the signs and symptoms and seeking treatment early, the majority of women will be alive and well and able to enjoy life, family and friends for more than five years and beyond,” she said.

The most common four symptoms which women with ovarian cancer experience frequently and persistently are: pelvic and abdominal pain, increased abdominal size/persistent bloating, increased urinary frequency, and difficulty eating and/or feeling full quickly.

If these symptoms persist even after prescribed treatment for other more common conditions (for example irritable bowel syndrome), we urge women to ask their GP to consider the possibility of ovarian cancer.

To monitor symptoms, Ovarian Cancer Australia provides free symptom diaries to download from their website so that women can track what they are experiencing and be able to better communicate how they are feeling with their GP.

To learn the risks, signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer or to make a tax deductible donation please visit http://www.ovariancancer.net.au