Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The last day, or is it?

Even though it is the official last day of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, that doesn't mean that I am going to stop spreading the word. I am challenging you to send the address to this blog to everyone you know, put it on facebook, twitter it, whatever it takes to spread the word. It is so important to know the symptoms, and know the risks. Wear teal anytime to let others know. Be ready for more information about the Sprint for Life run/walk that M.D. Anderson has to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research in May. I'll be participating! Thanks so much for your help spreading the word!!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Did you know....

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which malignant or cancerous cells are found in the ovary. It is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women aged 35 - 74. An estimated one woman in 58 will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime. To me, that means that someone you know will develop this disease. I know you know more than 58 women! Each year approximately 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed, and over 15,000 women die from this disease. When diagnosed and treated early (when the cancer is confined to the ovary), the 5 year survival rate is over 90%. Unfortunately, due to ovarian cancer's non-specific symptoms, only 19% of all cases are found at this early stage. If caught in stage III or higher, survival rate can be as low as 29%.
What does this mean to you? Well, first, you need to know the symptoms and what to ask your doctor for if you are experiencing these symptoms. This information is listed on the right side of this blog. Please take a moment to share this information with every woman you know, and with the men too (they all have mothers that they could share it with!). We know so much about what to look for with breast cancer, and I am making it my goal that women also know what to look for with ovarian cancer! Spread the word!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

TEAL TUESDAY!

We wear teal for our Mimi!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

L'Oreal Paris: Color of Hope

Join L'Oreal in supporting Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week (Sept. 14 - 20)by purchasing their Color of Hope products.

http://www.lorealcolorofhope.com/

I know that you can purchase these products at http://www.drugstore.com/, and I am researching where else you might be able to find them. Let me know if you see them when you are out shopping.

Teal Tuesday

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day is Tuesday, September 15, 2009!
  • The third Tuesday of September each year is Teal Tuesday. Help launch a nationwide public awareness campaign and wear teal clothes, tie ribbons in your yard and community, wear pins, put out teal colored balloons, and paint your toe nails teal for Ovarian Cancer Awareness.
  • Wear teal in honor of the thousands of beautiful women that are battling the disease, wear teal in memory of the precious lives of those who have lost their battle to this disease. Wear Teal to help raise public awareness of the often overlooked and unrecognized signs and symptoms of this disease. Wear Teal because you care about the thousands of Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters and Daughters that will be diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer this year. Wear teal for the 15,000 women that will die from Ovarian Cancer this year. Wear teal, help save lives.
THINK TEAL, TALK TEAL, WEAR TEAL - SAVE LIVES!

Teal Toes

In honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, I painted my toes teal. It is a great way for me to share information about Ovarian Cancer to all the people who comment on my toes. You can find teal nail polish at any grocery or drug store....I challenge you to paint your toes teal this month!
Find a great website about this at http://www.tealtoes.org/.
When you go to this website, be sure to contact them to have them send you free cards with symptoms and information to hand out to your friends and family.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

  • Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
  • Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion
  • Frequency and/or urgency in urination in the absence of an infection
  • Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
  • Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating, and/or feeling of fullness
  • Ongoing unusual fatigue
  • Unexplained changes in bowel habits

    If you have any of these symptoms, and they persist for more than two weeks, consult your physician. Ask your doctor for a combination pelvic/rectal exam, CA-125 blood test, and transvaginal ultrasound.