September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The color representing Ovarian Cancer is teal the cause is a cure. Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer in the United States; more than 21,000 women will be diagnosed with Ovarian cancer this year. It is the number one cause of death of all female reproductive cancers. The five year survival rate is less than 53%. The estimated number of women who will succumb to Ovarian cancer in the US this year is approximately 12,450. Women in their late teens to senior citizens can be at risk for Ovarian cancer. There is NO reliable screening test for Ovarian cancer in persons without any symptoms suggestive for Ovarian cancer.

Symptoms associated with Ovarian include pelvic pain, unexplained vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, feeling bloated, increase in abdominal girth, early satiety with eating, change in bowel habits and urinary symptoms.

Risks factors for ovarian cancer include a family history for ovarian, breast or colon cancer, Lynch syndrome and prostate cancer. Other risk factors include never being pregnant or have difficulty in becoming pregnant, history or having endometriosis, Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity. Genetic risk factors are having the variant KRAS gene or the BRCA genes.

The Margaret H. Thoma Cans for a Cure collects and recycles aluminum cans using the proceeds to support Ovarian Cancer Research. More than 3200 pounds of aluminum cans have been recycled thanks to the efforts of many people. PLEASE continue to assist in this effort to support Ovarian Cancer research by bringing aluminum cans to Faith Lutheran Church located at the corner of Wilson Ave. and Bragg Circle in Tullahoma.

Additional information concerning Ovarian Cancer contact Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance at www.ocrahope.org or (866) 399-6263.

Beth Thoma, MD

Tullahoma