Not all Female Cancer is Colored Pink

By Chelsey Kennedy, WHNP August 20, 2021 Posted in: Women's Health

TEAL. The color of the ovarian cancer awareness ribbon. This September, my new motto comes from the color TEAL: To Empower A Lady!

Each one of you could point to a lady who has made an impact on your life in one way or another. My mother, Cindy, was that for me and many others! I know many people who say a loved one “lived life to the fullest,” but that just wouldn’t do my mom justice. She lived and loved life and all that came along with being a woman, being a daughter, friend, wife, mother, aunt, grandma (aka Mimi), and more. Cindy was unfortunately diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 53. She was one who took her diagnosis as a challenge to learn and grow from. During her battle, she had a desire and felt an obligation to teach, encourage, and empower other women in their personal journeys. It is in her memory and honor, that I dedicate this article about ovarian cancer to help educate and spread awareness this September for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and To Empower A Lady!

A Silent Female Cancer

Learn about your body. Listen to your body. Speak up about concerns. Find a provider who listens.

Did you know that approximately 1 in 78 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and there is NO early detection test for this disease? (OCRA, 2020). Let’s start with the basics. The ovaries are the female reproductive gland that produce eggs (ova) that will then travel through the fallopian tubes and into the uterus where, if fertilized, can attach and create a fetus.

There are actually several different types of ovarian cancer that are named after the type of cell where they derive from. There are three main cells that make up the ovary: epithelial, germ, and stromal cells. When certain cells begin to grow out of control without stopping, they can become cancer and start affecting surrounding tissue.

Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Because there is no specific early detection test, ovarian cancer often goes undiagnosed and is found at an advanced stage. Listening to your body, knowing your risk factors, and reporting early signs/symptoms can help diagnose ovarian cancer at an earlier stage, leading to more treatment options. Here are a few risk factors to be aware of:

Personal/Family history (breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon/rectal cancer);
Genetic mutations
Post-menopausal
Obesity
Increased age

Some signs and symptoms to report to your women’s health care provider if they have occurred for more than 2 weeks or are new/unusual for you include:

Bloating
Difficulty eating
Pelvic/abdominal pain
Urinary frequency/difficulty
Unexpected weight loss/gain
Increased fatigue
Bowel/bladder changes
Menstrual irregularities

The Importance of Office Visits

Even if you don’t have a worrisome family history and feel perfectly healthy, it’s important to visit your women’s health care provider annually. You can expect to answer some questions regarding your health and wellbeing, menstrual cycles, and any concerning signs/symptoms you are experiencing. Guidelines suggest having annual physical exams, including a pelvic examination, as well. If there are any concerns for ovarian cancer, typically labs are drawn (i.e. complete blood counts and tumor markers such as CA-125) and a pelvic ultrasound or CT scan can be ordered.