Your Risk for Ovarian Cancer

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In honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to share a little information about who is at risk for Ovarian Cancer.  According to the Massachusetts Ovarian Cancer Awareness Coalition, it is estimated that over 16,000 women in the U.S. will die of Ovarian Cancer this year.  No doubt it is important to know the signs and your risks.

If you would like to read more about symptoms of Ovarian Cancer, check out my August article.

According to the National Cancer Institute, a woman that has significant family history of Ovarian Cancer is at a higher risk herself. A close family member can be your:

* Mother
* Father
* Sister
* Brother
* Grandparent (on your mother’s or father’s side)
* Mother’s sister and/or brother
* Father’s sister and/or brother

Having a family history of cancer does not mean you are going to certainly get cancer. Many factors, such as family history and age, may increase a person’s risk of cancer. Unfortunately not all of the causes are known at this time.

To learn more about genetic testing, as well as more details on how genes affect cancer, please visit the National Cancer Institute’s website.

I encourage every woman to talk to her doctor about her risks and the signs of Ovarian Cancer.   This September, help spread the word to family and friends that being aware can significantly increase your chances of early detection, and often, survival.

For some of my favorite Ovarian Cancer Awareness jewelry, click the pictures below: