ancer Awareness Month, which is held each year in Australia to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and to educate Australians on ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Around 1,720 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia each year. In most cases, the cancer will be diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat. It is the ninth most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia.
Ovarian cancer is a general term used to describe a cancerous malignant tumour starting in one or both ovaries. The ovaries are made up of three main kinds of cells, epithelial cells, stromal cells and germ cells. Each of these cells can develop into a different type of tumour.
There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer, so the best way of detecting the disease is to know the signs and symptoms.
The most commonly reported symptoms for ovarian cancer are:
- Needing to urinate often or regularly
- Feeling full after eating a small amount
- Abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain
- Increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating
A woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer may include a family history of ovarian cancer, increasing age and a family history of breast or colon cancer.
Funds raised on Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month will be used to increase the support and care for women living with ovarian cancer, by giving all Australians impacted by ovarian cancer access to specialist ovarian cancer nurses.
Over the last 12 months, over 330 women received personalised support from their own ovarian cancer nurses. Over 1200 women received ovarian cancer resilience kits, which has allowed Ovarian Cancer Australia to support approximately 80% of women diagnosed.
To show your support for people affected by ovarian cancer, you can buy a teal ribbon or other items from Ovarian Cancer Australia’s online store https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/store.
You can also host a Teal Tea Party to raise funds and awareness for people affected by ovarian cancer.
To find out more visit: www.ovariancancer.net.au/events/30/teal-tea.