Ovarian cancer doesn't get the kind of attention breast cancer gets. It's not as common, and because survival rates are poor, it does not produce an army of survivors to raise awareness.
It's traditionally known as the “silent killer” because it was thought to reveal no symptoms in its earliest, most curable stages.
But ovarian cancer is silent no more. First, researchers recently reported a cluster of symptoms that can indicate ovarian cancer. And advocates – both survivors and families – are beginning to make noise and encourage awareness for this disease.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and advocates are waving the teal flag, teal being the ovarian cancer version of a pink ribbon. Advocates and researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center hope to get people talking about ovarian cancer. What's there to say? Start with these eight things you need to know: