Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month! Did you know that ovarian cancer ranks 5th in cancer deaths amongst women? With women having a 1 in 75 chance of developing ovarian cancer, we teamed up with ConsumerSafety.org for the month of September to bring awareness to ovarian cancer and help educate you on reducing your risks!

Key Statistics About Ovarian Cancer

• Ovarian cancer ranks 5th in cancer deaths amongst women
• Ovarian cancer is the #1 cause of gynecologic cancer deaths
• Women have a 1 in 75 chance of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime
• Half the women who develop ovarian cancer are over the age of 60
• Around 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year
• 14,000 women die each year from ovarian cancer
• Only 15% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed at stage 1
• Every 23 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the United States

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
• Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach
• Back pain
• Pain during sex
• Constipation or menstrual changes

Know What Increases Your Risk

• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2
• Post-menopausal
• Increasing in age over 40
• Obesity, or a BMI of at least 30

How To Reduce Your Risk

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Eat foods rich in vitamin A, D & E, and omega-3 fatty acids
• Do not use talcum powder on or near your genitals
• Use of oral contraceptives for 5+ years reduces your risk of developing ovarian cancer by 50%

Sources

• http://www.ovariancancerawareness.org/
• https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/index.htm
• https://www.consumersafety.org/products/talcum-powder/
• https://ocrfa.org/patients/about-ovarian-cancer/treatment/staging-and-grading/stage-1/
• https://www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian