Ovarian cancer coalition opens local chapter

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., has opened a chapter in the San Fernando Valley. Suzanne Goor, an ovarian cancer survivor, will be the president of the new chapter.

The coalition's mission is to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and to promote education about the disease.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death in gynecologic cancers. An estimated one female in 58 will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime. Early detection gives a woman a nearly four times greater chance of survival. No consistently reliable, accurate screening test to detecovarian cancer exists. The Pap smear does not detect ovarian cancer. An annual vaginal exam for women age 18 and above and annual rectovaginal exam fowomen age 35 and above should be required.

The transvaginal sonography for women, expecially those at high risk, is available and should be used. A blood test to determine the level of a tumor marker is available.

Studies show that the risk of ovarian cancer appears to be reduced by the use of oral contraceptives, breast feeding and pregnancy, tubal ligation, prophylactic oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) and hysterectomy.

Sharing one's family history of ovarian, breast, endometrial, prostate or colon cancer with a physician is also important.

For more information about the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer, call Goor at (818) 5162631 or visit www.ovarian.org or e-mail noccsfvalley@ovarian.org.