UPCOMING EVENTS

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women.  Now with widespread use of Pap and HPV testing, cervical cancer rates have declined by almost 70% in modern times.  Thanks to these tests, cervical pre-cancers and cancers can be detected early when they are most easily cured, making this one of the most preventable types of cancer.

Every girl and woman needs to know the facts that can save lives!

Facts: Cervical cancer most often appears in women younger than age 55. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). 

Symptoms: Early cervical cancers usually don’t cause symptoms. When the cancer grows larger, women may notice:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
Pain during intercourse

What To Do:  You can protect against cervical cancer with:

• Vaccination against cervical cancer as early as age 9 for girls and boys.
• Regular screening with a PAP test to detect any abnormal cells on your cervix.
• Get an HPV test when recommended by a medical professional.
• Condoms can help prevent transmission of HPV, although they are not 100% effective.

When medical tests indicate abnormal cells, a cervical tissue sample can help determine a diagnosis.

A Radioshow for Cancer Patients

Listen to "Frankly Speaking About Cancer" every Tuesday at 4pm eastern time (1pm pacific time). The host is Kim Thiboldeaux, President and CEO of the Cancer Support Community, stives to empower her listeners to live well with cancer. Click here to visit the website. You can also find past episodes available for listening!

OGCC/RHONDA'S CLUB ACTIVITIES

We thank our generous sponsors of the 2013 Survivors Tea!

Platinum Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Clare and Kevin Donelan
Pat Goldman
Joan Stieber
Fran and Warren Stolusky
JoAnn and Howard Symons
Seggerman Homes, LLC
Paige Whitaker

In-Kind Sponsors:

Amrita Singh
Bigelow Tea
Kleen Kanteen
La Fresh
Mighty Leaf Tea
Origins
The Republic of Tea
Supergoop
Teal Toes

Is Your Body Talking? Take Time to Listen

Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer Survivor Stories

DC Department of Health, DC Cancer Consortium, and OGCC/Rhonda's Club partnered to conduct an interpersonal study of women who have survived ovarian and endometrial cancers.

SURVIVOR EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Future of Ovarian & Gynecologic Cancer, presented by Dr. Michael V. Seiden, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, to Rhonda's Club on September 12, 2011.

Click on the image above to watch the video.

Click here to download slides accompanying Dr. Michael V. Seiden's presentation.

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MEDICAL NEWS

New Study Confirms Importance of Treatment by Gynecologic Oncologists

New research presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists in early March confirmed the critical importance of seeking treatment for ovarian cancer from a gynecologic oncologist.  The study, led by Dr. Robert E. Bristow, found most women with ovarian cancer receive less than optimal care because they see doctors who do not specialize in treating ovarian cancer. The five-year survival rate and disease-free intervals of patients treated by gynecologic oncologists far surpass those of patients whose surgeons were not gynecologic oncologists.  To read more about this new research,  CLICK HERE. 

New Hope for Early Detection of Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers

Cara Tenenbaum, Vice President for Policy and External Affairs at OCNA and a Rhonda's Club board member, reports that a small study of 46 women showed that examining cells on the cervix with the Pap test can help identify ovarian and uterine cancers. In this study, DNA analysis detected 41% of ovarian cancer cases.  For more information, read the article on msnbc.msn.com or nytimes.com.

Cervical Cancer Screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced on March 14, 2012 its final recommendation on screening for cervical cancer. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Ovarian Cancer Advocates Troubled by FDA Decision on Avastin and Breast Cancer

Posted by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA)

On November 18, 2011 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would remove metastatic breast cancer from the label for Avastin (bevacizumab). This decision follows recommendations made in June by the FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee. Responding to today’s decision, OCNA CEO Karen Orloff Kaplan, MSW, MPH, ScD, expressed concern that the removal of metastatic breast cancer from the Avastin label could negatively affect women with ovarian cancer, for whom the drug is used off-label.  read more >>

Ovarian Cancer Patients with BRCA Mutations May Fare Better than Non-Carriers

A large, multicenter study shows that women with ovarian cancer who have mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have better survival rates than women who do not have such mutations. The study is also the first to provide strong evidence that ovarian cancer prognosis is better for women with BRCA2 mutations than women with BRCA1 mutations. The results were published online today in JAMA. Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the strongest known genetic risk factors for breast cancer and epithelial ovarian cancer, the most common form of ovarian cancer. To read more click here.

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