Award Winning Actress Kathy
Bates Opens Up to OCNA about
her Experience with Ovarian Cancer
"As an ovarian cancer survivor, I have decided
to join forces with the Ovarian Cancer National
Alliance by sharing my story and helping
educate women about one of the deadliest
cancers affecting women today." --Kathy Bates
Bates Opens Up to OCNA about
her Experience with Ovarian Cancer
"As an ovarian cancer survivor, I have decided
to join forces with the Ovarian Cancer National
Alliance by sharing my story and helping
educate women about one of the deadliest
cancers affecting women today." --Kathy Bates
| Every 37 minutes, a woman in this country dies from ovarian cancer. Most could have survived. |
Historically ovarian cancer was called the “silent killer”
because symptoms were not thought to develop until
the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies
have shown this term is untrue and that the following
symptoms are much more likely to occur in women
with ovarian cancer than women in the general
population. These symptoms include:
because symptoms were not thought to develop until
the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies
have shown this term is untrue and that the following
symptoms are much more likely to occur in women
with ovarian cancer than women in the general
population. These symptoms include:
 | Bloating | |
| Pelvic and Abdominal Pain | |
| Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly | |
| Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency) | |
| Family History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer | |
Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies.
The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several studies show
that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms.
Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a
gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage
diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.
The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several studies show
that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms.
Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a
gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage
diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.
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| PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US WHILE WE ARE UPDATING OUR SITE. |
As ovarian cancer survivors and activists, we speak to hundreds of women who are coping with ovarian cancer. Most,
diagnosed late-stage, are angry that they did not know the symptoms early enough to make decisions that could have
improved their chance of survival.
We believe that every woman deserves to know the symptoms of this disease. This knowledge is her chance for an
earlier diagnosis . . . in fact, her right to survive.
diagnosed late-stage, are angry that they did not know the symptoms early enough to make decisions that could have
improved their chance of survival.
We believe that every woman deserves to know the symptoms of this disease. This knowledge is her chance for an
earlier diagnosis . . . in fact, her right to survive.
| Ovarian Cancer Survivors at D-Backs Awareness Day August 2009 |