Teal Ribbon Day - Ovarian Cancer Awareness

On Teal Ribbon Day - 24th February - Australia Will Lead the World In the 2010 International Ovarian Cancer Awareness Campaign
An initiative of Ovarian Cancer Australia
“Every woman needs to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Don’t leave it until the 11th Hour!”

On Teal Ribbon Day (24 February), Ovarian Cancer Australia will continue to lead the world in generating awareness of ovarian cancer in 2010, and help save lives by informing women of the symptoms of a disease that will kill more than 850 Australian women this year – that’s one woman every 11 hours!

Teal is the colour that represents ovarian cancer throughout the world. On the eve of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in Europe and the United Kingdom, Australia’s Teal Ribbon Day on February 24 (an initiative of Ovarian Cancer Australia) will be the first in an international awareness campaign in 2010 aimed at informing women globally about ovarian cancer’s signs and symptoms which could save their lives.

Every day ovarian cancer affects Australian women of all ages - someone’s partner, someone’s sister, someone’s daughter, someone’s friend or someone’s mother. Girls as young as 7 and young women in the prime of their lives have been diagnosed with the disease. And while the risk of ovarian cancer increases with age (average age for an ovarian cancer diagnosis is 64) the fact is that the majority of Australian women DON’T know the symptoms of ovarian cancer but almost ALL women with the disease do suffer symptoms.

Paula Benson, Director of Ovarian Cancer Australia and a survivor of ovarian cancer said, “In the past ovarian cancer has often been referred to as a ‘silent killer’ but we now know that it is NOT silent because scientific evidence has shown that many women DO experience symptoms that if acted on, could result in an earlier diagnosis and a better chance of beating the disease.

“Ovarian cancer is the 6th most common cause of cancer death among Australian women today. Because there is no early detection test, currently 75% of women are diagnosed when the cancer is in the advanced stages and tragically, will lose their battle with the disease. The sad reality is that if diagnosed earlier, the majority of these women would have had a better chance of survival. This is why awareness and early detection is critical in saving lives,” Ms Benson said.

“We know that if ovarian cancer is caught in the early stages by identifying the signs and symptoms and seeking treatment early, the majority of women will be alive and well and able to enjoy life, family and friends for more than five years and beyond,” she said.

Jean Kittson, ambassador for the Ovarian Cancer Australia 2010 campaign said, “Awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms is vital. More and more women are coming to understand breast cancer and cervical cancer prevention and detection. Self breast examination and diagnostic screening programs such as mammograms and Pap tests are valuable tools in early diagnosis that saves lives. However, not enough women understand this is not the case for ovarian cancer. A Pap test does NOT detect the disease - there is NO early detection test. Only knowing and recognising the symptoms of ovarian cancer can help save lives,” Ms Kittson said.

“We have a long way to go but the principal aim of this campaign is to reduce the number of deaths from ovarian cancer by making women aware of the symptoms so they seek advice and treatment in the early stages of the disease when there is a greater chance of long-term survival.”

Ms Kittson said, “With one Australian woman dying every 11 hours from this insidious disease, on Teal Ribbon Day, our main message to women, from all walks of life, all cultural backgrounds and all parts of Australia is clear; Please, learn the symptoms of ovarian cancer – Don’t leave it until the 11th hour!”

The most common four symptoms which women with ovarian cancer experience frequently and persistently are: pelvic and abdominal pain, increased abdominal size/persistent bloating, increased urinary frequency, and difficulty eating and/or feeling full quickly.

If these symptoms persist even after prescribed treatment for other more common conditions (for example irritable bowel syndrome), we urge women to ask their GP to consider the possibility of ovarian cancer.

To monitor symptoms, Ovarian Cancer Australia provides free symptom diaries to download from their website so that women can track what they are experiencing and be able to better communicate how they are feeling with their GP.

To learn the risks, signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer or to make a tax deductible donation please visit www.ovariancancer.net.au. Don’t leave it until the eleventh hour!

Teal Ribbon Day is also about raising vital funds to help Ovarian Cancer Australia to continue to provide essential support services for women and families touched by ovarian cancer.

Teal ribbons can be purchased for $2.00 from Napoleon Perdis concept stores and Ovarian Cancer Australia. Funds raised through Teal Ribbon Day will continue the work of Ovarian Cancer Australia – Founded in 2001.

For more information on ovarian cancer, or to make a tax deductible donation or purchase teal ribbons (minimum quantity of 5 at $2 each) please contact Ovarian Cancer Australia.

Phone: 1300 660 334

Email: admin@ovariancancer.net.au

Website: ovariancancer.net.au