Thursday, September 4, 2008

Touched By Teal Friday - Don't Forget! (Update)



Tomorrow, September 5, 2008, women and men around this wonderful country will be wearing Teal in recognition of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Show your support by wearing Teal too! I already have my outfit picked out.

Help raise awareness for this deadly form of gynecological cancers by sharing this event with others.

GET INVOLVED!



Each year, more than 21,000 women will be diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. These women -- someones mother, daughter, sister, wife ,aunt, grandmother, cousin, -- will be in battle with the deadliest form of gynecological cancer. In 2008 15,000 women will lose this battle. Sobering isn't it?

What makes this dreadful cancer so deadly is that most cases are not detected until an advanced stage wherein these women have a 30% chance for surviving 5 years. If the cancer is caught early enough, there is a 90% chance of surviving 5 years.



The big problem is that presently, there is no approved test for the early detection of Ovarian Cancer. How unbelievably messed up is that!

The best tool is to be aware of the most common symptoms...

Bloating
Abdominal / Pelvic Pain
Difficulty Eating / Feeling Full Quickly
Urinary Symptoms (The Need To Go Frequently Or Urgently)


If you have one or more of these symptoms and they last more than two weeks, please your primary care physician and / or OB / GYN. If you don't get any answers, than seek a second opinion.

The best way for a doctor to diagnose the disease is with a combination of symptoms, a vaginal / rectal exam, a transvaginal ultrasound and / or a CT Scan. If cancer is suspected, consult a gynecological oncologist.

*** UPDATE - Received this information from my Aunt Carolene.

"REQUEST A "CA125" BLOOD TEST... BEST EARLY DETECTION OF OVARIAN CANCER"