TOLEDO, Ohio — May 8 is World Ovarian Cancer Day.
When it comes to all cancers, early detection is key. However, not all cancers give that chance, which is why ovarian cancer survivors, advocates and organizations worldwide are spreading the important message about the signs and symptoms on World Ovarian Cancer Day.
In the U.S., more than 19,680 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in 2024. Of those cases, an estimated 12,740 will die, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. The survival rate is at 50.8% for ovarian cancer patients.
Two-time ovarian cancer survivor Amy Sarantou has heard similar depressing facts but said she doesn't let it get to her.
"It's never easy to hear the word cancer, but it doesn't mean it's a death sentence. It's just a life with cancer," she said.
Sarantou was diagnosed in 2015 and went into remission. In 2021, things became "a little medically complicated," she said, but after beating ovarian cancer two times, she said it was important to be on the Ovarian Cancer Connection Board to make "women aware of what the symptoms are and what to look for. To help them through that process is No. 1."
Gini Steinke, executive director of the Ovarian Cancer Connection, said she's happy to see more women living longer after diagnosis and see more women like Sarantou beating the diseases.
However, Steinke said she wants more knowledge about ovarian cancer to be shared, especially when it comes to facts such as that ovarian cancer starts in the fallopian tubes and then travels to the ovaries, which isn't a well-known truth. She said both women and men need to know these things even though the subject could start off as a little touchy.
"If you see her belly getting a little bigger, you've got to be really gentle on what you're going to say. But, you could save her life if you get her to the doctor and you find out it's ovarian cancer," Steinke said.
Dianne Barndt, executive director of the Victory Center, said world and national days of awareness are important and the center will always be here to help all cancer patients.
"The Victory Center is a place of joy more than anything. We have a slogan right now that one smile at a time is a victory," Barndt said.
According to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, a woman's lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is only 1 in every 87 women. Yet the survival rates are much lower than other cancers affecting women.
Detection plays a big role in catching and treating diseases early, but when signs and symptoms like those for ovarian cancer aren't always helping raise alarms, you have to sometimes be overly cautious.
"Ask questions and ask for second advice and just know your body and don't give up until you feel like you've gotten enough," Sarantou said.
Barndt said family and friends aiming to support should do one simple thing: "Just do those small acts of kindness, don't ask 'what can I do?' because they're so overwhelmed with everything."
If you're just not feeling right, more bloated or more crampy than usual or if the spotting is out of the ordinary, go get checked.
"Get to your doctor," Steinke said. "Chances are that it's not ovarian cancer. But if it is, you want it caught as soon as possible."