September is Gynecologic & Ovarian Awareness Month

September is both Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Part of my mission as a gynecologic oncologist and author of Not Your Mother’s Hysterectomy: A Transformation in Women’s Health Care is to educate and empower women to be their own health advocates. This month of awareness is to draw attention to gynecologic cancers and help women learn about the warning signs and symptoms.

Ovarian cancer is known as the “silent killer” because symptoms are often difficult to detect. However,  studies show that the following symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population. These symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor for a prompt medical evaluation. Early stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis. Click here to learn more about gynecologic cancers, and click here to purchase, Not Your Mother’s Hysterectomy, which details gynecologic cancers.