The Quiet Assassin

“Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and there are about 25 thousand new cases a year,” says Dr. John van Nagell, director of gynecologic oncology and American Cancer Society professor of clinical oncology at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. 

Awareness is important especially because there is not a direct screening test.  “It is a huge misconception that a pap smear detects ovarian cancer.  Doctors stress to not rely on the pelvic exam for ovarian cancer detection.  “You cannot reliably diagnose early changes in ovarian volume or structure by a pelvic exam,” says van Nagell.  “Everything feeling normal does not protect against ovarian cancer.”  more...

Published Online Sep 3, 2010 | From September 2010 Health&Wellness Magazine

Discovery of gene mutations may be key vs. ovarian cancer

Scientists have found gene mutations that may cause an estimated 10% of ovarian cancers, a finding that could help them develop new treatments and better understand which women are at high risk for the disease....more from USA today

 

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COCO was  founded by a group of friends in memory of Debi Furnish, who died of Ovarian Cancer in 2005, nine months after she was diagnosed.  We also lost a classmate to Ovarian Cancer, Ellen Liebman on December 26, 2005.  These two losses, so close together,prompted a lot of discussion about ovarian cancer.  The more we talked to people, the more we were struck by the lack of knowledge most women have about this disease.  We decided to form an organization to fight for a cure and to raise awareness.  We did our homework and drew from the community to bring together a dynamic group of women - women who are already busy and active in the community, but who share our commitment and energy.  This group first met in November of 2006.  From there we were off and running.  Our first official function was in September of 2007. 

We are an affiliate of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.  OCNA began in September 1997, as leaders from seven ovarian cancer groups joined forces to establish a coordinated national effort to place ovarian cancer education, policy and research issues prominently on the agendas of national policy makers and women's health care leaders.

It is  the nation’s voice for ovarian cancer issues; uniting activists, women’s health advocates and health care professionals in the effort to increase public and professional understanding of ovarian cancer and to advocate for more effective diagnostics, treatments and a cure.