SE Texas Times

The month of September is recognized as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, ovarian cancer is rare since only 1.1% of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Yet, it is the number one cause of cancer-related death among women. Additionally, in 2024 it is estimated that 19,680 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and of those diagnosed 12,740 women will die. Due to the mortality rate, it is important to know about ovarian cancer so people can be educated about the risk factors along with the signs.

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is important because it is a time dedicated for women and the public to gain knowledge about ovarian cancer. This is important because an increase in public knowledge can lead to earlier diagnoses and hopefully lower the death rate. Therefore, the purpose of this month is to raise awareness surrounding ovarian cancer which is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer.” This is due to the fact that the symptoms of ovarian cancer are very similar to other diseases which means women will overlook the signs and they will not realize they should see a doctor and get tested. As a result of this, the diagnosis for ovarian cancer is typically confirmed at a later stage. According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, only 20 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages.

Since the symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar to other diseases, it is critical to know what they are in order to get an early diagnosis. A few of the common symptoms for ovarian cancer are persistent bloating, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and pelvic or abdominal pain. Along with these symptoms, the strongest risk factors include increasing age and family history. Knowing the signs and risk factors of ovarian cancer is important because an early diagnosis can be lifesaving.

For more information about ovarian cancer, please visit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Along with this, radiologyinfo.org is a resource to learn more about ovarian cancer, how to prevent it, and how it is diagnosed.

Additionally, you can visit the American Association for Cancer Research to learn about the risk factors and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

“If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article,” said State Representative Todd Hunter from District 32, “please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office.” He added: “Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services.” Representative Hunter emphasized: “As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office: 512-463-0672; District Office: 361-949-4603).”

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and part of Nueces County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.