KUSA - September is observed nationally as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Knowing the symptoms of ovarian cancer – bloating, abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, and urinary frequency – can save a woman's life.
Over 80 percent of Ovarian Cancer diagnoses are late stage, metastasized cancer when the chance of surviving more than five years is just 44 percent. But if diagnosed early, a woman's chance of surviving 5 years increases to 93 percent.
Teal is the ovarian cancer community's color and serves as a reminder that ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in females in the United States but it is the deadliest gynecologic cancer.
Friday, Sept. 5 as "Wear Teal Day." Teal is the ovarian cancer community's color and serves as a reminder that ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in females in the United States but it is the deadliest gynecologic cancer. Pap tests do not screen for ovarian cancer. As there is no test for ovarian cancer, recognizing the symptoms and being diagnosed early are critical to saving lives.
At the beginning of September, the Denver Civic Center Tower will turn teal in support of ovarian cancer awareness and promoting Sept. 5 as "Wear Teal Day" is an effort to bring even greater focus on the disease. In addition, symptom cards and signs will be displayed and distributed statewide highlighting the four most frequent ovarian cancer indicators.
"I believe educating the public about the symptoms of ovarian cancer is the single most important thing we can do," says Joyce Swanson, a three-year ovarian cancer survivor who resides in Littleton. "I saw the symptoms on an awareness poster during Jodi's Race for Awareness. If I had not, I might not have mentioned the symptoms to my doctor - which ultimately led to my diagnosis. I am so thankful to the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance for spreading the word so that other women can catch this disease early."
The mission of the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance is to promote awareness and early detection of ovarian cancer through advocacy and education, while providing support to people affected by ovarian cancer.
To learn more about COCA and its programs, visit www.colo-ovariancancer.org or www.facebook.com/ColoradoOvarianCancerAlliance or email info@colo-ovariancancer.org.
BRCA gene mutation affects many cancers
A lot of people have heard about the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes when it comes to breast cancer risks. What is not as well known is that those same genes also play a hand in other cancers.
"They are recipes that stop tumors from growing," genetic counselor Lisa Mullineaux said. "They work in the prostate, the breast and the ovaries. When someone has an abnormal gene, it increases the risk for cancer."
After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, Becky Jones of Fort Collins decided to undergo genetic testing.
Jones tested positive for the BRCA gene mutation. She decided to have a mastectomy to ward off breast cancer.
"For me, I want to be proactive," Jones said.
Cancer has had a huge presence in her family's history. Her great-grandmother had a "female cancer." Jones said that generation kept medical history very private so she doesn't know specifics. Jones' grandmother had uterine cancer. Her mother had uterine cancer and died from ovarian cancer. Jones' older sister dealt with breast cancer. Her middle sister is also a breast cancer survivor.
Like Jones, her middle sister and niece both tested positive for the BRCA-1 gene mutation. Her niece decided to have a hysterectomy and mastectomy to prevent a cancer diagnosis.
"Having the records, knowing your family history and doing whatever you can to help not only yourself but your children and your grandchildren," Jones said.
She is also trying to spread the word about the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
The Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance says there are four symptoms:
- Bloating
- Pelvic and/or abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary Urgency or frequency
"There's no test and so many women think that a pap smear can detect ovarian cancer, "Jones said. "It does not."
Because of that, ovarian cancer usually goes undetected until it has spread into the pelvis and abdomen. Eighty-one percent of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Thirty percent of those women will be alive in five years.
Experts in genetics like Lisa Mullineaux at University of Colorado Hospital are determined to learn more about other causes of inherited ovarian cancer.
"There are brand new genes being discovered that when they're mutated, cause ovarian cancer risk," Mullineaux said.
(KUSA-TV © 2014 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)
