September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month!
How much about it do you know?
Let’s take a deep-dive.
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that forms in a woman’s ovary. Depending on the type and stage, malignant cells are found inside, near, or on the outer layer of the ovaries. Common areas where the cancer may spread from the ovary include the abdomen lining, bowel and bladder lining, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver.
There are four types of ovarian cancers:
- Epithelial tumors, which refer to the thin layer of tissue that covers the ovaries and account for 90% of ovarian cancer cases
- Germ cell carcinoma tumors, in which the cancer begins in the cells that form the eggs and account for 5% of ovarian cancer diagnoses
- Stromal carcinoma tumors, in which the cancer develops in the connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and produce estrogen and progesterone and account for 5% of ovarian cancer diagnoses
- Small cell carcinoma of the ovary (SCCO), which is a rare, highly malignant tumor that accounts for 0.1% of ovarian cancer diagnoses
The staging of ovarian cancers are:
- Stage I: Cancer is found in one or both ovaries
- Stage II: Cancer has spread to the pelvis
- Stage III: Cancer has spread to the abdomen
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body
Though it is rare, it is no less deadly.
Nearly 80% of those diagnosed were diagnosed in its advanced stages; meaning prognosis is poor.
So it’s important to join the the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s awareness campaign, which is focused on early awareness of symptoms, genetic predisposition, and the lack of an early detection test.
GET YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA GAME ON
The NOCC has great online resources available, where you can quickly learn more ovarian cancer facts. Please share these images via social media to help spread the word, using the special hashtag #KnowOvarian.
Follow the NOCC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see and share their newest awareness materials!
You can also help spread awareness by adding their Facebook frame to your profile photo. Let everyone know you support all those who have been impacted by ovarian cancer! Instructions available here!
Awareness is key – and can help spread a conversation about ovarian cancer. So please, let’s each do our part!
Share your stories, thoughts, and hopes, with the Patient Worthy community!
