Awareness
Each year, thousands of American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Many of them will lose their lives because they don't receive a diagnosis until the disease is in an advanced stage. The first objective of the Maria Lorick Heart of Hope Cancer Foundation is to increase awareness about ovarian cancer so that women may have a chance at an earlier diagnosis. Early detection is imperative to help prevent the cancer's spread, make treatment more effective, and increase chances for survival.
The Mayo Clinic advices that you should see your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms for more than a few weeks:- Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
- Urinary urgency
- Pelvic discomfort or pain
- Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
- Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
- Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
- Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist
- Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
- A persistent lack of energy
- Low back pain
- Changes in menstruation
About 20,000 American women are diagnosed each year with ovarian cancer and about 75% of them will die of the disease. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance predicts that in 2008, an estimated 21,650 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 15,520 women will die from the disease.
The Maria Lorick Heart of Hope Cancer Foundation will work with high schools and colleges to educate young women about the risk factors and symptoms of ovarian cancer.