Success StoryOvarian Cancer Awareness



Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Author: Nola Janeen Tramble

Planning Unit: Crittenden County CES

Major Program: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)

Plan of Work: Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Family and Youth

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system but accounts for only 3% of all cancer diagnosis. This is due to the symptoms being so subtle and the cancer not regularly screened. The Crittenden County Homemaker’s recently partnered with the Women’s Club of Marion, Crittenden County Health Systems and Pennyrile District Heath Department/Crittenden Health Center to host an Ovarian Cancer Awareness Tea. The group spent months of planning for the event, dividing the responsibilities among several committees. The event was advertised extensively through social media, radio, newspaper, flyers, banners, electronic signs and letters. There were 45 in attendance.  The event featured a fashion show from a local boutique with the latest fall fashion trends for all ages. One of the Crittenden County homemakers is an ovarian cancer survivor. She spoke at the tea, sharing that she is a survivor because of free ovarian cancer screening made available to her at no cost because of the extension homemakers.   A local nurse practitioner provided an educational presentation on the disease. Her presentation covered topics from the parts of the female reproductive system, statistics, risks factors and more. She emphasized that other vaginal exams like pap smears do not test for ovarian cancer,  women who have had a hysterectomy can get the cancer, whether they have their ovaries or not.  The symptoms can be vague and subtle and are often mistaken as other problems.  Regarding the signs and symptoms, remember BEAT: B – Bloating that is persistent; E – Eating less, feeling fuller; A – Abdominal and/or back pain; T – Trouble with your bladder and bowels. Women with no family history of ovarian cancer are advised not to have ovarian cancer screening unless enrolled in a clinical trial. However, all women are at risk. You should seek medical attention if symptoms persist daily, if symptoms last more than 2 or 3 weeks.  Information on how to schedule your no cost screening was distributed. A brief survey of participants indicated that 35% plan to or already have scheduled an ovarian cancer exam, 32% might schedule an exam. The ticket sales, silent auction and sponsorships raised $1632.00 for the UK ovarian cancer screening program, in honor our own survivor.







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