The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 21,000 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the Unites States in 2015, and that a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1 in 73. Those are sobering statistics and they highlight the importance of being your own best advocate when it comes to your health. BRCA status in ovarian cancer affects treatment outcomes, and there are treatment options available specifically for women with BRCA mutations.
This month, we are hoping to raise awareness about ovarian cancer by having conversations with our friends and family members about the importance of BRCA testing and to dispel the misperceptions around it. There are a number of myths floating around about BRCA testing, such as the misconception that only those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer or who are diagnosed at a young age should be tested. But, family history and age are poor predictors of BRCA status in ovarian cancer patients, which is why it is so important for all women with ovarian cancer to be tested.
Unfortunately, I have friends and loved ones who have been affected by this disease and it was absolutely devastating to watch them go through it. For patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have had multiple lines of chemotherapy, the prognosis is poor and treatment options are progressively limited with each additional line of therapy. This is why it is important for women with ovarian cancer to receive genetic testing so that they can plan with their doctor an individual treatment plan that is optimized for their specific cancer.
Personalized, or precision, medicine tailors treatment to a patient’s genetic profile, and with cancer it means doctors can target the specific mutations that they know drive a disease. With these advancements in medical science, it arms patients and doctors with an arsenal with which they can battle this horrible disease. As a Survivor myself of Leukemia, I cannot stress enough the importance of early detection and intervention.
If you know a woman who has been diagnosed with or is at risk for developing ovarian cancer, support her by visiting MyOCjourney.com. Here you will find information about diagnosis, BRCA gene testing, treatment plans, and support networks that are crucial to these women now and can help inform them as to what they need to know about BRCA and ovarian cancer.
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the ways that you think we can raise awareness for ovarian cancer during the month of September?
Disclosure: I received $150 from AstraZeneca, and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience. This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/AstraZeneca. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2015, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
Cancer is so scary. My sister in law just finished her Chemo and now my husband’s ex-wife has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
That is just crazy that there will be 21,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2015. Hopefully, one day there will be a cure for all cancer.
I’d say the more we all blog about Ovarian cancer to get the word out the better. Thank you for all the information-it is extremely important.
They have come such a long way with the way they treat cancer. The BRCA gene testing sounds like a valuable way to detect it early.
Didn’t realize September was a cancer-awareness month! Hopefully someday there will be a cure – tired of losing friends and family to that beast.
So great to be aware!! Thank you for sharing this to let others know how important it is!! 🙂
It is so important to discuss these things with our mothers and daughters. I think women forget to take care of themselves because they are so busy worrying about every one else. We really need to take the time to keep ourselves in good health.
The more awareness the better! I think one day there will be a cure!
Talking about it like this helps put it in the forefront of our minds. The more we share, the more we’re aware.
My grandmother passed from Ovarian. I would love to eradicate all cancers, but this one would be top of my list.
I think cancer touches everyone in some way. It is time to bring awareness out and push for a cure.
Cancer is terrifying. My brother just finished his oral and IV chemo. He will have another test after 4 months. Hope he comes out clear.
I know so many people that have been impacted in some way by this horrible disease. The more awareness the better.
Cancer is very scary. I lost an aunt to breast cancer a few years ago. Another aunt, my mom’s sister is a breast cancer survivor.
I didn’t know it was OC awareness month! I know next month is breast cancer awareness , so thanks for the information!
I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). I can raise awareness by being a better role model for my daughter who could end up with it. I have not taken care of my health and really should before it’s too late.
I was super close to my grandmother who had cancer multiple times. She was such a fighter, but ultimately passed away. I’m still heartbroken and am glad for more awareness to hopefully give others more knowledge that hopefully results in more time in life.
I have noticed a lot more information has been shared about this this year. There is a lot of great information to know about this disease.
I have two cousins who had mastectomies and an aunt who died from the complications of Breast CA. I really have to be more vigilant in checking for early symptoms. Prognosis is better with early detection. Thanks for the reminder.
Its astonishing how many lives are affected by cancer. It’s great that sites like this provide infomation and resources for support.
My sister died from Ovarian cancer by the time they caught it, it had spread all throughout her body. So awareness is very important to me.
A friend of a friend recently passed quite suddenly from this. With so many different cancers out there, it’s sometimes hard to spot symptoms.
I hope one day there will be a cure. I absolutely hate cancer! It affects so many people.