UPCOMING EVENTS

Local Families Work to Raise Awareness of Ovarian Cancer

In memory of Beth Walton…..

Join Beth’s family and friends on Saturday, June 8 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Brickside Food and Drink (4866 Cordell Ave. in Bethesda) for a fundraiser to benefit research for early detection of ovarian cancer by the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). A $10 donation will get you free appetizers, great drink specials, and a silent auction!  For more information, see bethwalton5k.com.

In memory of Cynthia J. Bolbach….

The DC Wheels rolled through town in a 45-mile skateathon on Sunday, May 5 to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. The DC Wheels is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 to use the power of skateboarding to change & save lives. This month’s skateathon was in memory of Cynthia J. Bolbach and raised $6,274 to benefit the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Congratulations!

World Ovarian Cancer Day

Wednesday, May 8 is the first-ever World Ovarian Cancer Day--a global celebration of the people and organizations working to raise awareness of this disease. 

Know the facts and share them with others!

Ovarian cancer is diagnosed annually in nearly a quarter of a million women globally, and is responsible for 140,000 deaths each year. Statistics show that just 45% of women with ovarian cancer are likely to survive for five years compared to up to 89% of women with breast cancer.

5 Key Facts:
1. All women are at risk of ovarian cancer

2. Awareness of the early warning signs of the disease could save lives

3. Diagnosis at an early stage vastly improves a woman’s chance of survival

4. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage.

5. Many women mistakenly believe the cervical smear test (Pap test) will detect ovarian cancer

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can often be confused with other less serious conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders.

Symptoms include:
• Increased abdominal size / persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)

• Difficulty eating/feeling full quickly

• Abdominal or pelvic pain

• Needing to pass urine more urgently or more frequently
Source: Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

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

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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