Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation Fredericksburg Texas

Ovarian Cancer...Listen to your body!

About Ovarian Cancer

Every Woman Needs to Know:

The Facts: The Risk Factors:

  • All women are at risk

  • A Pap Test Does Not detect ovarian cancer

  • Symptoms are vague and increase over time

  • Early detection increases survival rate

  • Increasing Age

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Personal or family history of colon, breast, prostate or ovarian cancer

  • Undesired infertility
The Symptoms  

  • Unexplained weight gain or weight loss

  • Changes in bowel habits

  • Bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort or feeling of fullness

  • Ongoing Fatigue

  • Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion

  • Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection

If these symptoms last for more than 2 weeks, please see your physician. Ask him/her for a CA-125 blood test, transvaginal ultrasound and pelvic/rectal examination.

Prevention

  • Women who used oral contraceptives for more than 5 years have about a 50% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women who have never used oral contraceptives.

  • Tubal ligation after childbearing, may reduce the chance of developing ovarian cancer by up to 67%. A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may also reduce the risk.

  • If you have a family history of ovarian, colon, prostate or breast cancer you may want to consider genetic testing for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

For additional information or to bring our Awareness/Education presentation to your place of business, church group, sorority, school, women’s group or men’s group, please call (901) 373-2372 or e-mail at Judychildress@comcast.net