While it’s important to know the common symptoms of ovarian cancer — bloating, eating less and feeling fuller, abdominal or pelvic pain, urinary symptoms — it’s even more critical to know the risk factors. Knowing your personal risk is the most effective way to reduce the likelihood of ovarian cancer. Take the ovarian cancer quiz: … Continued
Ready, set, action! This group of OCRA Heroes has taken those words to heart by using their creative talents to make a concrete difference for the ovarian cancer community. In recent months, classical singers Phoebe Haines and Rachel Elezi, playwright/director Peter Schmidt, and gamer John Donzelli all harnessed the power of the digital medium to … Continued
Metastatic ovarian cancer is cancer that has spread from the ovaries, or the fallopian tubes, to parts of the body outside the site of origin. Ovarian cancer that has metastasized is classified as Stage IV. When cancer is found outside the site of origin — outside the ovary — it may be considered locally advanced … Continued
High-grade serous carcinoma is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for approximately 75% of epithelial ovarian cancers. Because it is the most common type of ovarian cancer, it is often the default type that’s referenced in discussions of ovarian cancer, unless another type is specified. Up until recently, it was thought that ovarian cancers … 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 navigating a new diagnosis to adjusting diet and exercise – and shares advice and reflections from our OCRA Inspire Online Community. … Continued
Tracy lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and was diagnosed with stage IV germ cell ovarian cancer at age 27. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? I was diagnosed with stage 4 germ cell ovarian cancer eight years ago at age 27. I was devastated and felt like my entire … Continued
Ingrid lives in Denver, Colorado, and was diagnosed with low grade serous ovarian cancer in 2019. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? I was diagnosed in January of 2019 with low grade serous ovarian cancer. My doctor said she had to look on Facebook to learn about this … Continued
Sultry summer days can make anyone feel lazy and daydream of faraway places. But at OCRA, we’re working as hard as ever to fulfill our dream of a day when no one need fear an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Check out all that’s happening and discover ways that you can get involved. RESEARCH ADVOCACY PATIENT SUPPORT … Continued
OCRA and the entire ovarian cancer community applaud the action taken on July 13, 2021 by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to reauthorize and expand Johanna’s Law. Since it was signed into law in 2007, Johanna’s Law has helped educate and raise awareness of gynecologic cancers to millions of people. Johanna’s Law supports a variety of programs, … Continued
No, ovarian cancer does not stop your period in and of itself. It is still possible to menstruate with the presence of the disease in your body. That being said, let’s answer this question by examining a host of other questions surrounding whether or not ovarian cancer stops one’s period. Can a missed period be … Continued
A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology provides new insight into previously established research that oral contraceptive use is connected to lower ovarian cancer risk in the general population, by more closely examining the link among BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Scientists have long known that oral contraceptive use, particularly long-term … Continued
Janice lives in NW Pennsylvania, and was diagnosed in 1997, at age 34, with stage II retiform sertoli-leydig cell ovarian cancer with mucinous heterologous elements. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? My frustration was getting my rare cell type identified correctly, then finding out the protocol was experimental. Where … Continued
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