Knowing the symptoms of ovarian cancer can save a woman’s life
September is nationally observed as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
DENVER – September 1st is celebrated as Wear Teal Day.
In Colorado, 330 women are diagnosed ovarian cancer every year—about one Colorado woman every day.
Knowing the symptoms of ovarian cancer—bloating, abdominal pain, eating less and feeling full, and having trouble urinating or having a bowel movement—can save a woman’s life. If even one of these symptoms persists for more than two weeks, this should prompt a woman to talk to her doctor, preferably a gynecologist.
More than 80% of ovarian cancer diagnoses are late-stage metastatic cancer, with a 44% chance of survival beyond five years. However, if diagnosed early, a woman’s chance of survival increases by five years to 93%.
September is nationally observed as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Teal is the color of the ovarian cancer community and serves as a reminder that ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women in the United States, but is also the deadliest gynecologic cancer.
Pap tests are not used to detect ovarian cancer early. Because there is no test for ovarian cancer, recognizing the symptoms and diagnosing them early are vital to saving lives.
The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer
- Bloating that is persistent
- Eat less and feel full
- stomach pain
- Problems urinating or having a bowel movement
Risk factors for ovarian cancer
- genetics
- increasing age
- I have never given birth to a child
- Don’t use contraception
RELATED: Colorado Launches New Program to Help Women Get Free Cancer Screenings
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