TURN THE TOWN TEAL!

SEPTEMBER IS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month!  The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida (OCAF) will be celebrating with local communities turning teal in awareness of ovarian cancer.  “Turn the Town Teal” will take place in September to coincide with National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month as well as national “Teal Time” which has been designated as September 3, 2010.

Businesses, city halls, private residences and shopping centers will be adorning trees and lampposts with teal ribbons as well as teal outdoor lighting at night.  They will also be disseminating awareness information to their employees and clients.  OCAF has the support of mayors and governing bodies in several cities’ and counties throughout Central Florida who are proclaiming September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  Governor Charlie Crist is expected to declare September 2010 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the state of Florida.

The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida invites your business, neighborhood, or community group to be involved in this project. We have ribbons, awareness pins and symptom cards available.  Please contact the OCAF office for more information at ocaf@ocaf.org or 407-339-0024.

Some of the awareness events and activities include:

September 3 - National Teal Time-Wear teal in support of ovarian cancer awareness.

September 3 - Celebrate ovarian cancer awareness at Wall St. Plaza in downtown Orlando!

September 11 - Women in the Know Women’s Symposium in conjunction with MD Anderson Cancer Center

September 11 -Space Coast Sister Run

September 12 - Treasure Coast Ovarian Cancer Alliance Candle Light Vigil

September 16 - Health Fair-First Presbyterian Church of Orlando

September 19-Seventh Annual Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida Golf Tournament-LPGA International Daytona Beach

September 24-Ovacome-Tampa Annual Teal Triumphs Dinner

September 27- GYN awareness lecture. Winter Park Civic Center. Dr. James kendrick will be speaking on all GYN cancers and treatment options. For more information about Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, click here.

New events are being added all the time, so check back often for additional activities.

On September 11th, the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida is teaming with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, a part of Orlando Health, to present “Women in the Know” Women’s Cancer Symposium 2010, a half-day educational event.  The free event will be held at Harry P. Leu Gardens from 9:30 AM-Noon and includes lunch and admission to the gardens. Drs.Veronica Schimp DO, Jessica Vaught MD, and Christopher Bryant MD will be presenting programs regarding women’s gynecologic health and well-being. Reservations are required. Call 321.8Health (321.843.2584) for information or reservations.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Several other symptoms may include: fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities.

Take Action:
See your doctor, preferably a gynecologist, if these symptoms are unusual for you and occur almost daily for more than a few weeks. Experts suggest a combination pelvic/rectal exam, a transvaginalsonogram, and a CA125 blood test. If ovarian cancer is suspected, medical experts suggest seeking a second opinion with a gynecologic oncologist before surgery is performed.