As our community continues to come together to make strides against ovarian cancer, we want to give a shout-out to our many OCRA Heroes who push themselves physically, creatively or in myriad other ways to raise money for research. We’ll be introducing you to many of them in the months to come. First up are … Continued
Researchers from the University of Kansas School of Medicine conducted a study to capture the value and experience of giving and receiving peer support in the face of a gynecologic cancer diagnosis by interviewing Woman to Woman Mentors and Mentees from a newly created program at the University of Kansas Medical Center. As the report states, many … Continued
Inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, can increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer as well as uterine (endometrial) cancer. Some of these mutations, which affect MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM genes, can cause Lynch Syndrome. This disorder is also called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and, as its name suggests, … Continued
Chris Turner is taking on the Sheep Mountain 50 Mile Ultra Marathon in loving memory of his mother, Carla, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2018. His campaign will raise funds for OCRA’s programs to fight ovarian cancer through scientific research, advocacy, and patient support programs — so that one day, we can find … Continued
“It’s kind of like how the Apollo mission to the moon gave us Velcro.” Dr. David Chapel and his team are laying new groundwork in better understanding the origins of high-grade serous carcinoma, even if the exact applications are hard to see this early on. David, an OCRA grantee, speaks with great passion when he … Continued
Many people are surprised to learn that ovarian cancer is not one disease, but several distinct types and subtypes. Each type differs in who it typically affects, how it spreads, how it’s treated, and its prognosis. High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common, and is often the unspoken type we refer to … Continued
Those who have faced an ovarian or gynecologic cancer diagnosis have so much to offer to others going through a similar experience – be it support, tips or friendship. Inspired Advice is a blog series that tackles specific topics – from managing feelings of isolation to navigating a new diagnosis – and shares advice and reflections from our OCRA Inspire Online Community. … Continued
Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer or any gynecologic cancer can be an overwhelming experience, and it can help to know that you aren’t alone. Explore ovarian cancer survivor stories as they get real, sharing their experience with navigating ovarian cancer, along with tips and resources that helped them during their most challenging moments. Read their … Continued
Gael Ross lives in Durham, North Carolina, and has endometrial carcinoma, also known as MMMT. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? There is no standard of treatment as far as I can figure out. There is little research that has gone into treatment as there are so few … Continued
Pamela Connor lives in Liverpool, New York, and has a squamous cell carcinoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? It’s difficult to get good information, either from my doctors or from other women who have had the same cancer. I also fear … Continued
Becca Cahall lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and has a granulosa cell tumor. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? That there is not much research on it. I can’t google it like other cancers and there aren’t many studies on it. Plus, mainly older women are diagnosed with ovarian … Continued
April Bupp lives in York, Pennsylvania, and has an adult granulosa cell tumor. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? Having a rare form of cancer that accounts for only 1-2% of ovarian cancer means there is very little research/information on it. It is frustrating that there is so … Continued
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