COCA to conduct meeting on ovarian cancer awareness

The Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA) “March on the Capitol,” on Friday, Sept. 4, noon, features speakers Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien, Congresswoman Diana DeGette and Dr. Daniel Donato, gynecological oncologist, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and COCA’s (www.colo-ovariancancer.org) goal is to educate women statewide about the need for education and early detection.

Lucy Trujillo, COCA executive director who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September 2007, said, “We want women to pay attention to their bodies and learn about the warning signs of gynecologic cancers. The Centers for Disease Control, through Johanna's Law, offers excellent gynecologic education.”

“There is no test for ovarian cancer and all women are at risk,” she said. “In Colorado, one in 54 women face a lifetime risk of ovarian cancer and disease symptoms are easily missed, dismissed or misdiagnosed.”

Symptoms include:

• Bloating

• Pelvic or abdominal pain

• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

• Urinary urgency or frequency.

Dr. Daniel Donato, gynecologic oncologist, Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, said, "Everyone brushes off these symptoms. But ovarian cancer is high on the list of killer cancers because we don't pick it up early enough."

 http://www.colo-ovariancancer.org