As September puts focus on ovarian cancer, experts stress early detection

Aug. 30 (UPI) -- September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and again this year efforts to raise awareness about the difficult-to-detect disease will be held across the country, starting with a presidential proclamation issued Friday.

Calling the affliction "the deadliest of all female reproductive system cancers," President Joe Biden launched nationwide awareness efforts by proclaiming September 2024 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

"This year alone, nearly 20,000 women will be diagnosed with this terrible disease," Biden said in a statement . "During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the memories of all the women we have tragically lost. We reaffirm our support for all the brave women living with ovarian cancer and all those who have survived it.

"And we thank their loved ones, who stand loyally by their side, and the medical researchers, health care providers, and caretakers who fight tirelessly to save lives every day," he added.

Early detection key

One of most confounding things about ovarian cancer is that, if it is detected in its early localized stages, the five-year survival rate for patients is 91%, according to the National Cancer Institute.

But because there is still no reliable method for asymptomatic screening and detection, ovarian cancer diagnoses often don't come until it is too late to stop its spread.

While there are no symptoms specific to ovarian cancer, most women diagnosed with the disease experience such things as bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or urinary symptoms.

However, these symptoms are often overlooked until after a diagnosis has already been made, and for that reason advocates say the key to early detection is raising awareness of the risks.

Together in Teal

The flagship effort to raise awareness is the Together in TEAL campaign organized by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. During September, the group is hosting 11 events across the country to advance its mission of "saving lives through the prevention and cure of ovarian cancer and to improve the quality of life for survivors and their caregivers."

In-person events will be held in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, Annapolis, Md., West Des Moines, Ia., Long Island, N.Y., Orlando, Fla., Wheaton, Ill., Gilbert, Ariz., and San Marcos, Texas. Virtual events will also be held.

The color teal is the symbol for ovarian cancer awareness and teal-colored ribbons are often used to promote awareness. That will be the case on Labor Day in New York City where 30 volunteers will tie such ribbons around trees in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood.

Later in the month on Sept. 26, the Ovarian Cancer Coalition of Central South Carolina will hold its annual Cathy B. Novinger Butterfly Release for Ovarian Cancer at the State House in Columbia.

Raising awareness, research funding

Businesses also are contributing to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.

Creation L , an online fashion brand based in Jacksonville, Fla., announced this week it raised $15,000 for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's awareness efforts in August after c ommitting to donate $1 from every item sold over a six-day span.

The company also announced it will be participating in NOCC's Together in Teal Walk in Orlando on Sept. 28, during which Sarina Douzart, merchandising and marketing specialist at Creation L, will present the donation.

In a statement, Douzart said her company wants to "amplify the conversation" about this type of cancer and its effect on women, especially those older than 60 and who are most affected by it.

"By partnering with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, we hope to make a significant difference in raising awareness and funding research that can ultimately save lives," she said.