Award Winning Actress Kathy
Bates Opens Up to OCNA about
her Experience with Ovarian Cancer

"As an ovarian cancer survivor, I have decided
to join forces with the Ovarian Cancer National
Alliance by sharing my story and helping
educate women about one of the deadliest
cancers affecting women today."  --Kathy Bates
Every 37 minutes, a woman in
this country dies from
ovarian cancer.

Most could have survived.
Historically ovarian cancer was called the “silent killer”
because symptoms were not thought to develop until
the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies
have shown this term is untrue and 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 and Abdominal Pain
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Family History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer
Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are
persistent and represent a change from normal for
their bodies. The frequency and/or number of such
symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian
cancer. Several studies show that even early stage
ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms.

Women who have these symptoms almost daily for
more than a few weeks should see their doctor,
preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation
may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of
the disease. Early stage diagnosis is associated with
an improved prognosis.
OVARIAN CANCER ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA
Conquering Ovarian Cancer in Arizona

WHAT DOES HEALTHCARE
REFORM MEAN TO
OVARIAN CANCER SURVIVORS?

Join us for a seminar on healthcare reform and
learn about the issues that affect
ovarian cancer survivors and their families.


February 20, 2010
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
10460 North 92nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85258


Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Karen Orloff Kaplan, MSW, MPH, ScD.

Dr. Kaplan, a nationally recognized health advocate,
administrator, policy expert and researcher, is
Chief Executive Officer of
the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

She will address how the Alliance represents the interests of
women with ovarian cancer in Washington, DC.

Additional Speaker:

Cara Tenenbaum

In addition to Dr. Kaplan, we are pleased to announce that
Cara Tenenbaum, Vice President of Policy and External Affairs
of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, will discuss how
constituents can have a voice in the legislative process and
advocate for womens health.

Cara designs and implements federal policy strategies to
further the needs of ovarian cancer patients and their families,
including drug safety and approvals, reimbursement policies,
legislation and appropriations.

Refreshments will be served.

You must pre-register for this event.
Please RSVP to ellen@ocaz.org
or call (480) 664-4948

PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US WHILE WE ARE UPDATING OUR SITE.
As ovarian cancer survivors and activists, we speak to hundreds of women who are coping with ovarian cancer. Most,
diagnosed late-stage, are angry that they did not know the symptoms early enough to make decisions that could have
improved their chance of survival.

We believe that every woman deserves to know the symptoms of this disease. This knowledge is her chance for an earlier
diagnosis . . . in fact, her right to survive.
Ovarian Cancer Survivors at D-Backs Awareness Day August 2009