Category Archives: Cancer

Raising Ovarian Cancer Awareness: Teal Ribbons To Support The Cause

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Ovarian cancer accounts for almost 3% of all cancers among women. It is the ninth most common cancer and fifth most common cause of cancer-related death in women. This type of cancer can be cured, though it may not always be that easy. To show support for the Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, which is being celebrated on the month of September each year, there are so many kinds of activities that you could do to participate.

One of the easiest ways for you to show your support include wearing teal ribbon pins, teal silicone wristbands or teal charms during the month of celebration. By displaying these awareness products you will spread the word and awareness about this disease to people who don’t have a clue about it. The more people aware of ovarian cancer and its symptoms, the more successful the celebration will be. One of the main objectives of the awareness campaign, it’s to educate women to recognize warning signs, therefore, the cancer can be detected at an early stage before it gets worse increasing the chances of defeating it.

Why the color teal? Well, just like breast cancer with its pink ribbon and AIDS with its striking red color, teal is considered as the official color of ovarian cancer and is also the color for Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. During September, those who are directly affected by the cancer and those who are not directly affected but may have a loved one suffering, are the most celebrated. In addition, a lot of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and health authorities will be playing their role by organizing educational events at public places and setting up health and information booths to spread more awareness to the public.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most deadly of women cancers. For 2010, it was estimated that 21,880 women in the United States alone would be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and at least 13,850 would died from this disease. It’s everyone’s responsibility to help raise more awareness, and aside from showing personal support by wearing the teal colored accessories, there are many kinds of events which can be organized to raise awareness or to raise funds. Among the events that could be organized for the cause include a tea party plus an ovarian cancer talk or seminar, or a public auction to help raise funds. Funds recollected are usually used on research to develop better screaming methods or to improve treatments.

Cervical Cancer

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Cervical cancer, which is another type of uterine cancer, is slow-growing and malignant. (Malignant simply means that it spreads). It forms on the surface cells of the cervix which is located in the pelvic area. The cervix is a strong muscle and is actually the lower part of the uterus, and connects the uterus to the birth canal.

There are two main types of cancerous cells in cervical cancer.

Squamous cell carcinomas: These begin in the thin skin-like cells which line the bottom of the cervix. 80 to 90 percent of all cervical cancers begin in this area.

Adenocarcinomas: These begin in the glandular cells which line the upper part of the cervix. 10 to 20 percent of cervical cancers begin in this area.

Cervical cancer is usually is found among younger women who are sexually active, and the cancer is usually caused by the human papillomavirus, (HPV). The virus is spread through sexual contact, and can survive in the body for many years before it causes cancer to form. In some cases the cancer never forms, even though the HPV is present.

There is a new vaccine against the HPV virus which promises that by the year 2022 there will be a lot fewer cases of this cancer due to the new vaccine. How they can make these kind of claims is beyond me, because the vaccine is still to new, and we do not know of all the side-effects associated with it.

The symptoms of cervical cancer may not appear until the later stages of the cancer, but, abnormal or pre-cancerous cells can be detected with a pap smear before the cancer occurs.

The symptoms can include heavy bleeding, in between or while menstruating, or after menopause, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, bleeding after intercourse, weight loss, and fatigue.

Those at highest risk for developing cervical cancer are young girls who became sexually active before the age of 18, and those who have had multiple partners, or are with someone who has had multiple partners.

Those who have other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), are also more prone to developing this cancer.

Those who smoke, use condoms, tampons, and birth control pills are also at higher risk.

A weak immune system also puts one at risk, because it is the immune system that is responsible for fighting the cancer cells.

It is interesting to note that nuns rarely develop this type of cancer, simply because of their lifestyle.