SYMPTOMS To Watch For:
o Bloating
o Pelvic or abdominal pain
o Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
o Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
*Others may include: Fatigue, Indigestion, Back pain, Pain with intercourse, Bowel changes, Menstrual irregularities, Loss of appetite, and Increasing abdominal girth
*Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s (OCNA) mission is to conquer ovarian cancer to save women’s lives. Since its inception in 1997, OCNA has been the face and voice of a national network of ovarian cancer survivors and activists. OCNA advocates for increased federal funding for research that leads to an effective early detection test, better treatments, and ultimately a cure for the disease. OCNA also educates women and health care practitioners about ovarian cancer’s symptoms and risk factors to improve the chances that women will be diagnosed earlier. In addition, as the umbrella organization of 45 national, regional and local ovarian cancer groups, OCNA leverages the power of the growing number of voices demanding a different future for everyone who has been or will be touched by ovarian cancer. OCNA’s initiatives include Survivors Teaching Students: Saving Women’s Livessm with support from the Entertainment Industry Foundation, where survivors speak to third-year medical students to help them gain perspective on the real life experiences and emotions of survivors. OCNA provides an online forum offering discussion rooms, blogs and an opportunity to connect virtually with others facing the same issues. ONCA also provides a clinical trials matching service, powered by EmergingMed, to help women locate clinical trials.
CONTACT INFO:
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
910 17th St., N.W., Suite 1190
Washington, D.C. 20006
202-331-1332 (phone)
www.ovariancancer.org
WEBSITE:
To learn more about the alliance and ovarian cancer, visit our website at www.ovariancancer.org. We strive to provide the most thorough information on dealing with diagnosis, helping others cope, and finding support through groups and online communities. Along with providing links to outside support systems, we also sponsor our own online community to connect patients, families, and friends to others dealing with similar situations.
Through our website you can also access our online store. There you will find products to help spread awareness of ovarian cancer and to support those with the condition. The proceeds from each purchase help fund educational programs for women with ovarian cancer.
STATISTICS
o It is estimated that 21,650 women will be diagnosed with and 15,520 women will die of cancer of the ovary in 2008.
o There are approximately 174,236 women living in the U.S. whoare living with or have a history of ovarian cancer.
o One in 72 women will be diagnosed with cancer of the ovary during their lifetime. One in 95 women will die from ovarian cancer.
o Approximately 75% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage after the cancer has spread beyond the ovary.
o Approximately 13% of the women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer are 44 years and younger.
o Ovarian cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all cancers in women and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among U.S. women.
