Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is in September. Ovarian cancer is the second most prevalent gynecologic cancer in the United States, and it is the disease of the female reproductive system that results in the most fatalities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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When is Women’s Cancer Awareness Month?
All malignancies of the female reproductive system, including those of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vulva, and vagina, are referred to as gynecological cancers. These cancers pose a threat to all women.
Over 29,000 women die from gynecological cancers each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Roughly 89,000 women are diagnosed with them. Different gynecological cancers have various warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Age is a risk factor.
The following are the main groups of gynecological cancers:
Cervical HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is virtually always the root cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer risk is higher in women who do not have routine screenings for HPV or abnormal cells in the cervix.
Ovarian epithelial cancer, which starts in the tissue covering the ovary, the lining of the fallopian tube, or the peritoneum; ovarian germ cell tumors, which start in the egg or germ cells; and ovarian low malignant potential tumors, which start in the tissue covering the ovary. There are three different types of ovarian cancer in adults.
The tissues of the uterus, the organ in which a fetus grows, are where uterine cancer begins. Endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma are the two kinds of uterine cancer.
The tissues of the endometrium, or uterine lining, are where endometrial cancer develops. Endometrial cancer risk may be increased by obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
A uncommon form of cancer called uterine sarcoma develops in the tissues that support the uterus or in the uterine muscles. Uterine sarcoma risk can be raised by X-ray exposure during radiation therapy.
Both forms of uterine cancer are at increased risk due to the use of the breast cancer medication tamoxifen.
Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are the two main kinds of vaginal cancer. Squamous cell cancer is less likely than adenocarcinoma to spread to the lymph nodes and lungs. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth has been associated to a rare kind of adenocarcinoma.
After menopause, women are more likely to develop adenocarcinomas that are unrelated to DES exposure.
In a woman’s external genitalia, vulvar cancer develops. The outer vaginal lips are most frequently impacted by vulvar cancer.
Long-lasting abnormal cell growth is possible on the vulvar skin’s surface. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia is the name given to this disorder (VIN). It’s critical to receive treatment because VIN has the potential to develop into vulvar cancer.
VIN, HPV infection, and a history of genital warts are all risk factors for developing vulvar cancer.
Does ovarian cancer have a symbol?
The way we all operate has largely changed as a result of the current crisis. Now that I commute to work at my kitchen table, my adult “children” periodically come in to check the fridge but leave again after being unimpressed. I, like many of you, find it hard to imagine that I had never used Zoom until a few months ago.
We’ve also had to alter our awareness-raising strategies. Currently, 90% of women are unaware of the primary signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Additionally, due to COVID-19, there has been a significant drop in the number of patients seeing their doctors and cancer diagnoses during the past six weeks. Knowing your symptoms and getting a quick diagnosis are more crucial than ever. On this World Ovarian Cancer Day, we want to make sure that women in the UK understand how important it is to be aware of their symptoms and that their GPs are always available.
On World Ovarian Cancer Day, we use the white rose as a symbol of hope to spread awareness of ovarian cancer and its signs and symptoms. For the past two years, we have teamed together with our supporters to distribute tens of thousands of white roses in cities all around the UK along with cards listing symptoms. Even though we might not be able to march this year, we won’t let that stop us.
To promote awareness, we’re encouraging everyone to design and share their own white rose with ovarian cancer symptoms throughout the entire month of May. They can also upload a photo of their design to our gallery to be a part of the UK’s biggest rose garden.
You can make a rose in any way you desire, whether through painting, baking, knitting, or origami. For additional inspiration, feel free to grab our free rose craft bundle. Once the rose is made, a picture of it can be posted to our virtual rose garden, where you can also click to share your creation along with ovarian cancer symptoms on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the hashtag #OCARoseGarden and, if you can, donate.
To get started, get your free rose craft kit, then spread the word about it. You might just save a life if you can bake, knit, paint, or sketch. Build a rose.
World Ovarian Cancer Day 2020
We’re inviting everyone to make a white rose in May to contribute to the UK’s largest rose garden and spread awareness of ovarian cancer.
What is the ovarian cancer survival rate?
A individual with stage 1 ovarian cancer has either one or both ovaries where the cancer has been discovered. Stage 1 ovarian cancer is identified in 15% of female patients.
- One ovary is affected by cancer at stage 1A.
- Both ovaries have cancer in stage 1B.
- Stage 1C: One or both ovaries have cancer, and one of the following is true:
- Moreover, one or both ovaries’ external surfaces have malignancy;
- the ovary’s capsule, or outer covering, has torn or broken open; or
- Cancer cells can be identified in the fluid of the peritoneal cavity, which is the bodily cavity that houses the majority of the abdominal organs, or in peritoneal washings (tissue lining the peritoneal cavity).
What is the survival rate for Stage 1 ovarian cancer?
The prognosis for most women with Stage 1 ovarian cancer is very good. Patients in stages 1A and 1B, as well as those with grade 1 tumors, have a 5-year survival rate of above 90%. Studies of a lot of people are frequently used to determine survival rates, but these studies cannot forecast what will happen to any one individual. The prognosis of a woman is also influenced by other factors, including as overall health, cancer grade, and response to treatment.
About 3 out of 4 (72.4 percent) women with ovarian cancer survive for at least a year following diagnosis when all kinds of ovarian cancer are combined. Nearly half (46.2%) of ovarian cancer patients are still living at least five years following their diagnosis. Those diagnosed before age 65 fare better than women diagnosed beyond that age.
What kind of cancer is July?
What You Should Know About Sarcoma Awareness Month in July “Cancer Ignored Sarcoma Awareness Month, which is observed in July, aims to increase understanding of what is regarded as the “neglected cancer
Ovarian cancer’s severity?
Ovarian cancer can be fatal if it is not detected in its early stages. The fifth-deadliest malignancy for cis women is ovarian cancer. In the United States, ovarian cancer affects about 21,000 people and claims 14,000 lives annually.
How come ovarian cancer is teal?
Ted Escobedo on September 3, 2021 Teal is worn during Wear Teal Day to promote ovarian cancer awareness. Wearing the color can help start conversations that educate others about the signs and risk factors of the disease, which will help increase the likelihood of an early diagnosis and effective treatment.
Getting older
Age increases the likelihood of acquiring ovarian cancer. In women under 40, ovarian cancer is uncommon. After menopause, most ovarian malignancies start to appear. Women 63 years of age or older account for half of all cases of ovarian cancer.
Being overweight or obese
Numerous malignancies are more likely to be developed in people who are obese. Obesity and the risk of ovarian cancer are not well understood at this time. Obese women (those with a body mass index of at least 30) are undoubtedly more likely to get ovarian cancer, though perhaps not the most severe forms, like high-grade serous tumors. A woman with ovarian cancer may experience worse overall survival if she is obese.
Having children later or never having a full-term pregnancy
Ovarian cancer risk is increased in women who have their first full-term pregnancy after the age of 35 or who have never carried a baby to term.
Taking hormone therapy after menopause
Compared to women who have never used hormones, those who use estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone after menopause have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Having a family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer
Cancer of the ovary can run in families. If your mother, sister, or daughter has (or has had) ovarian cancer, your risk of developing it is enhanced. The risk increases in proportion to the number of relatives who have the disease. Your father’s side may also carry a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer risk is correlated with a family history of certain cancers, including colorectal and breast cancer. This is due to the possibility that these tumors are brought on by inherited mutations (changes) in specific genes, which result in a familial cancer syndrome and raise the risk of ovarian cancer.
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC)
Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, as well as probably some other genes that have not yet been identified, are the cause of this syndrome. This syndrome is associated with an increased risk of ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal malignancies in addition to breast cancer. There is also an elevated risk for some other malignancies, including pancreatic and prostate cancer.
The majority of inherited ovarian malignancies are also caused by mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is almost ten times higher in Ashkenazi Jews than in the general American population.
Women with a BRCA1 mutation are thought to have a lifetime risk of ovarian cancer of between 35 and 70 percent. This indicates that if 100 women were affected by the BRCA1 mutation, 35 to 70 of them would develop ovarian cancer. By the age of 70, the risk is thought to be between 10% and 30% higher for women who have BRCA2 mutations. Additionally, these alterations raise the dangers of fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal carcinoma.
In contrast, the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer for women in the general population is less than 2%.
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
In addition to having an increased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer, women with this syndrome also have an extremely high chance of acquiring colon cancer. This syndrome can be brought on by a variety of genes. MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM are some of them. Women with genetic nonpolyposis colon cancer have a 10-percent lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer. Women with this condition can develop up to 1% of all ovarian epithelial malignancies. Lynch syndrome is a another name for HNPCC.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Teenagers who have this uncommon genetic disease start to develop polyps in their bowel and stomach. Additionally, they have a significant risk of developing cancer, particularly digestive system cancer (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon). Women who have this syndrome are more likely to develop ovarian cancer, including epithelial ovarian cancer and sex cord tumors with annular tubules, a kind of stromal tumor (SCTAT). STK11 gene mutations are the cause of this syndrome.
MUTYH-associated polyposis
People who have this syndrome grow polyps in their small intestine and colon and are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer. Additionally, they have a higher risk of developing bladder and ovarian cancer. Mutations in the MUTYH gene are responsible for this condition.
Other genes associated with hereditary ovarian cancer
There are more genes associated with ovarian cancer in addition to the gene alterations previously described. These include PALB2, ATM, BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D. Some of these genes are also linked to malignancies like pancreatic and breast cancer.
Using fertility treatment
According to What Is Ovarian Cancer?, in vitro fertilization (IVF) for fertility treatment appears to raise the incidence of ovarian tumors with “borderline” or “low malignant potential.” However, other studies have not demonstrated an elevated risk of invasive ovarian cancer with reproductive medications. You should talk to your doctor about the possible hazards if you use reproductive medications.
Having had breast cancer
You may have a higher risk of getting ovarian cancer if you’ve had breast cancer. This is due to a number of factors. Breast cancer risk may be impacted by a few of the reproductive risk factors for ovarian cancer. Women with a history of breast cancer in their families are most at risk for developing ovarian cancer after breast cancer. A hereditary mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, which is connected to an elevated risk of ovarian cancer, may be the causes of a significant family history of breast cancer.
What type of cancer is February?
National Cancer Prevention Month is in February. Review our website’s other resources, download A Guide to Preventing Cancer, and have a look at our Seven Steps to Prevent Cancer.
