Ovarian Cancer Awareness

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and we want to share some important information with you.

Did you know that there is a genetic screening test, called BRCA, which can identify genetic mutations which may increase your risk for developing certain types of cancer? This test may be particularly important if you have a family history of breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer. Your doctor can let you know if this test is right for you. BRCA testing and counseling are available at Women’s Health Center, so if you’d like more information please contact us at 541-479-8363.

It’s important to know that Pap smears do not test for ovarian cancer. Survival rate is over 90% when diagnosed and treated early. Early diagnosis is usually made because women take note of several key symptoms. These can include: unexplained and persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, and urgency or frequency of urination.

For more information, please visit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s website at http://ovarian.org/