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 5.

Businesses 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. OCAF has the support of mayors and governing bodies in several towns throughout the area who are proclaiming September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Governor Charlie Crist has already declared September 2008 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Currently there is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. It ranks
fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Eighty percent of ovarian cancer diagnoses are made in late stage when the five-year survival rate is 30%. If detected early, that five-year survival rate jumps to 93%. That is why education and awareness are critical.

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.