September Is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

The month of September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, which recognizes cancers that affect the female reproductive organs, including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Join us in remembering those we’ve lost and honor them by learning more about this cancer, its symptoms, and its treatment.

What Is Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer is an umbrella term that describes cancers of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and peritoneum, which is the tissue that lines the pelvis and abdomen. These cancers are often grouped together because they have similar cellular features, behave in similar ways, and are frequently treated with similar approaches. 

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) estimates that more than 50 people in the United States are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day. The challenge with ovarian cancer is that often, symptoms are mild or may not appear at all until the disease reaches advanced stages. Nevertheless, if you experience any of these symptoms for more than a couple of weeks or if they impact your daily life, it may be time to visit your gynecologist:

• Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen
• Bloating or feeling full quickly
• Increased frequency or urgency in urination
• Painful intercourse
• Changes to your menstrual cycle
• Fatigue

Are You at Risk?

Because it can be challenging to catch ovarian cancer early in many people, knowing your risk and prevention strategies is the best action you can take to protect yourself. You may be at a higher risk for developing this cancer if:

• You have certain genetic markers: The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations are some of the most well-known markers for cancer, but your risk may also be due to Lynch syndrome or a number of other genetic markers.
• You have a family or personal history of cancer: Specifically, breast, uterine, prostate, and colorectal cancers can increase your risk. This is also true if you have endometriosis.
• You are a part of certain demographics: The highest rates of ovarian cancer are found in post-menopausal women. Beyond that, obesity can increase your risk. 

Can You Prevent Ovarian Cancer?

While there is no way to completely protect yourself or prevent the development of cancer, there are actions you can take to reduce your risk, such as:

• Using birth control: While infertility and not having children can increase your risk, you may be able to mitigate some of it by taking oral contraceptives. This benefit is greatest with long-term use, usually lasting for five years or longer.
• Having children: Conversely, getting pregnant and breastfeeding a child reduces the number of ovulation cycles the body goes through, which can also lower your risk.
• Getting a hysterectomy or tubal ligation: If you are sure you do not want to have children, you may also want to consider the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus. Tubal ligation is another surgical option.

Find Help at Starling Oncology

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month may only last 30 days, but at Starling Oncology, we support people experiencing it every day. Whether you’ve just noticed concerning symptoms or are seeking treatment centers that care about you as a person, we offer compassionate, personalized care with cutting-edge technology. Learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer when you connect with Starling Oncology today — and be sure to wear teal this month to show your support! 

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