Throwback Thursday to February 2016, when I led the crowd in singing my song Why We Walk at the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Conference in Baltimore, MD. 

As an ovarian cancer survivor, it is important to me to raise awareness of the illness and its signs and symptoms. The 5th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, ovarian cancer is sometimes called a “silent killer,” because it is often mistaken for benign conditions like indigestion, and over 70% of women are not diagnosed until the later stages, when survival rates are low. 

I am one of the lucky ones. Diagnosed in the early stages, I just celebrated the 17th anniversary of my last chemo treatment on October 4th. 

I invite you “break the silence” and share the list of symptoms with the women in your life. Early detection saves lives. 

* Bloating 

* Pelvic or abdominal pain 

* Trouble eating or feeling full quickly 

* Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often 

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include: 

* Fatigue 

* Upset stomach or heartburn 

* Back plain 

* Pain during sex 

* Constipation or menstrual changes 

If symptoms are new and persist for more than two weeks, it is recommended that a woman see her doctor. 
 

#ovariancancer #survivor #breakthesilence #ovarian #whywewalk #earlydetection #earlydetectioncansavelives #knowthesigns