How to Raise Awareness of Ovarian Cancer This Month

By Your Health Magazine

A cancer diagnosis can be like a grenade. It isn’t a single shot with minimal damage; instead, its effects are far-reaching. Not only is the diagnosed individual impacted, but their loved ones will be, too. Early diagnosis is needed to limit the damage, so to speak, but there are certain cancers that are almost impossible to spot early on, like ovarian cancer.

But there are ways to change this, and raising awareness should be prioritized. After all, a better understanding of this disease, with more women knowing the causes and symptoms, can completely change the tide. There is no better time to do this than now, with September having a key link to ovarian cancer.

Firstly, you must be aware of what ovarian cancer is, and this is explained below.

What to Know About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is not a diagnosis women want to hear. According to research, this is one of the most common gynecologic cancers, ranking behind cervical and uterine cancer, and it has the highest mortality rate and the worst prognosis. This is why it is vital that individuals, particularly women, have a complete understanding of this disease.

When abnormal cells grow and multiply in the ovary, this is known as ovarian cancer. It can also occur in the fallopian tubes and the lining of the abdomen, also known as the peritoneum. There are numerous types of ovarian cancer, with epithelial ovarian cancer being the most common, and its subtype, low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC), being relatively rare. Although it is more common in women over the age of 50, with most cases occurring after the menopause, it can affect anyone with ovaries at any age.

In the early stages, this cancer is difficult to spot. Symptoms begin to appear as the disease progresses, and they can begin subtly, which can cause late diagnosis. It is important to watch for abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating, changes in appetite, changes in bowel habits, extreme tiredness, and urinary changes. If you experience these symptoms for more than a few weeks, a visit to your doctor is necessary.

Treatment will depend on the cancer’s stage and your overall health. The primary treatment options for ovarian cancer are surgery to remove the tumor and/or chemotherapy to destroy any cancer cells. Radiotherapy and targeted therapies might also be used.

Three Ways to Raise Awareness of Ovarian Cancer

With a better understanding of what ovarian cancer is, you can then begin to increase awareness. Ovarian cancer awareness month is September, so there is no better time to highlight this disease than now.

Below, three of the most effective methods of raising awareness have been outlined.

Educate Others in Your Community

A key priority should be to help others understand ovarian cancer, so this means educating those in your local community. This can help to encourage earlier diagnosis, which could significantly improve survival rates; remember, ovarian cancer is usually caught late when it is harder to treat. Educating others means people will recognize the symptoms and seek medical attention if required.

There are many different ways you can teach those in your community about ovarian cancer. Arranging a local event, even something like an intimate coffee morning, can enable you to share vital information. You might want to gather resources, like leaflets and posters, to make it clear what your cause is.

Leverage Online Platforms

While targeting your local community in-person is important, you can also use online platforms to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. Social media platforms, like Instagram and X, allow for quick sharing of information to a vast audience. This is great if you have a general message, but you can also plan targeted engagement to connect with a specific demographic, such as women in this case.

You must focus on sharing factual information about the disease’s symptoms and risk factors. To be successful with this task, it is best to post regularly and use hashtags to expand your reach. If you have others working on this with you, like a charity, then you can even tag them in your posts to increase the visibility of your message.

Participate in Awareness and Fundraising Events

Most methods of raising awareness will promote education, and this is a vital task, especially as it can significantly improve survival rates. However, awareness and fundraising events can also generate funds that could be vital for improving detection, prevention, and treatment. This can even help you form a supportive community by participating.

It is possible to host your own event, such as a bake sale or charity bingo night, but beginners are encouraged to find an event through existing charities. A quick visit to the websites of ovarian cancer charities, like that of Not These Ovaries, can help you begin this incredible journey to raising awareness and cash this month.

To conclude, as September is ovarian cancer awareness month, it is only fair to raise awareness for this disease now. Using the tips outlined in this post should help you do just that.