OP: Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer is something that a lot of women assume is looked for with their yearly Pap, But what many dont know is that it is not!

I'm from Canada and am involved with the Run for Ovarian Cancer in London Ontario, where many of the women involved have been diagnosed with this disease, and some have tragically passed since the run's inception.

This is somethign i think alot of peopel are ignorant about. It's called the disease that wispers, becasue by the time its detected, its already too late.

some things every woman should know....

Canadian Facts about Ovarian Cancer

* Every year 2,500 women will be diagnosed in Canada with Ovarian Cancer.
* Each year 1,500 women die from ovarian cancer in Canada
* Ovarian cancer is a serious disease with no early detection test, most women are unfortunately diagnosed in the later stages of the disease and 60% of them will not survive past four years.
* Even though the statistics surrounding the disease are bleak, the good news is that when it is diagnosed in the earliest stages, the long-term survival rate is 90%. Education and awareness are the best tools we have for improving survival by alerting women to the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms:

* Vague but persistent gas, nausea, indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea
* Abdominal bloating, feeling of fullness, or pain
* Frequen or urgent urination
* Menstrual disorders, pain during intercourse
* Fatique, backaches
* Weight gain or loss
* Abdominal distention

Risk Factors:

Some of the risk factors linked to Ovarian Cancer include:

* Personal or family history of breast, ovarian, endometrial, prostate, or colon cancer.
* Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or syndrome.
* Increasing age
* Unexplained infertility, no pregnancies, and no history of birth control pill usage
* Use of high-dose estrogen for long periods without progesterone may be a risk factor
* North American or Northern European heritage and/or Ashkenazi Jewish population
* Living in an industrialized country.

TAKE ACTION If any symptom lasts more than 2 weeks!

Screening for ovarian cancer includes a combination pelvic/rectal exam, a CA-125 blood test, and a transvaginal sonogram.

Note: Pap smears DO NOT detect ovarian cancer.

Info taken from www.runforovariancancer.ca

OP: 07/07/2006 Sakura

Posted: 23 Sep 03:47