14th Annual 5K Run/5 Mile & 1 Mile Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer

NOCC Pittsburgh Chapter's 14th Annual 5K Run/5 Mile & 1 Mile Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer is being held on September 14 at the North Park Boathouse. Below is extra information about the event:

The Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer® is the largest fundraiser and awareness event for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Held at the Boathouse in North Park, the Run/Walk brings the greater Pittsburgh community together to demonstrate that ovarian cancer is more than a woman’s disease; over 3,000 family, friends and co-workers gather at the Run/Walk to support the women in their lives who are fighting ovarian cancer. 

Last year’s addition of a race component drew runners from around Pittsburgh to join our cause. We plan to expand our reach into this health-conscious demographic to amplify our education and awareness message even further. 

You can make an impact in the lives of women in your community – mothers, wives, friends, co-workers – dash to an early diagnosis through your support. Start a team, join as an individual, or donate today!

For more information please contact us at pittsburghevents@ovarian.org or by calling 412 661-1095. - 

See more at: http://nocc.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1110520#sthash.3FNV5USV.dpuf

Learn the Silent Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is so deadly because the symptoms are often silent. Unlike breast cancer, skin cancer and many other diseases, most women don't know what exactly they should be looking for. This article takes an in-depth look at the silent symptoms of ovarian cancer and what you can do to catch them.

Quick: what are the symptoms of ovarian cancer? You probably know what to look for regarding breast cancer, skin cancer or a heart attack, but most women are unaware of the signs of this deadly disease. Early detection dramatically increases survival rates of ovarian cancer, and it is critical to learn the symptoms and seek treatment right away should you experience them. 

Ovarian cancer is scary. Its symptoms are vague, and there are currently no early detection tests. Often, women attribute the symptoms to other, more common ailments, so the cancer is left to grow and spread until an accurate diagnosis is made. It is currently the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women. 

There is good news: if it is caught early, there is a 90% five-year survival rate. That's why this month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we are spreading the word about the symptoms of this silent disease as part of the National Ovarian Cancer Commission's "Take Early Action and Live" (TEAL) campaign. 

Know the Signs
A recent survey by the NOCC revealed that 85% of women did not know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and that 82% had never spoken with a doctor about the risks of ovarian cancer. Until there is an accurate early detection test, the single most important thing you can do is remember the following symptoms:

• Persistent pelvic and stomach pain

• Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating

• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

• Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often

If you are experiencing at least two to three of these symptoms clustered together and they persist for more than two weeks, you should see your doctor and ask for a combination pelvic/rectal exam. If your family history puts you at high risk for ovarian cancer (family history of breast, colon and/or ovarian cancer) ask your doctor about having a transvaginal ultrasound and CA-125 blood test

Read the full article here: http://grnol.co/1ogSQzM

Lack of Screening Makes Ovarian Cancer Especially Deadly

One thing that makes ovarian cancer so much more dangerous than many other cancers is that there is no concrete screen process for the disease. KATC TV takes a look at how the lack of a screening affects the progression of ovarian cancer:

"Ovarian cancer effects about one in 70 women."

Not nearly as common as breast cancer, which effects about one in eight women, but gynecologic oncologist Dr. William Roy says it's often more deadly.

"The real issue is that we don't have a good screening program for ovarian cancer and people also write off symptoms of developing ovarian cancer."

Symptoms like weight gain, bloating and gas and constipation.

"These things are dismissed until multiple symptoms or problems develop and then we are able to evaluate them and we identify they have very widespread ovarian cancer."

In addition to lack of screening, Roy says it can be difficult to pinpoint who's most at risk.

"It's very difficult, outside of genetics, say there is a particular risk factor, family history is certainly one of those."

Roy says women should be aware of their family history and be sure not to write-off possible symptoms. Dr. Roy is the only gynecologic oncologist in the Acadiana region. He has only been at the Cancer Center of Acadiana at Lafayette General for several months and already is serving a large number of patients.

Read the full article and watch the video of the report here: http://bit.ly/1unsyBl