September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Famous Canadian Olympian Elizabeth Manley celebrates with Winners Walk of Hope

TORONTO, Aug. 31 /CNW/ - September 1^st marks the kick-off of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This year, 2600 Canadian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer - the most fatal gynecologic cancer.

"With no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer, the majority of women are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease when the survival rate is less than 30%," says Fran Turner, National Program Director at Ovarian Cancer Canada.  "As the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for less serious conditions, women need to be aware of their bodies."

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

• bloating
• pelvic or abdominal pain
• feeling full quickly or difficulty eating
• urgent or frequent urination

If a woman experiences these symptoms for more than a few weeks, Ovarian Cancer Canada urges her to tell a physician. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the likelihood of surviving the disease.

On September 12, as part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, the Winners Walk of Hope will take place in cities across the country. The Winners Walk of Hope is the most celebrated event across Canada that solely supports ovarian cancer. The Walk acknowledges the 17,000 Canadian women living with this disease and honors those women who were lost to ovarian cancer.

Elizabeth Manley, Canada's silver medalist in figure skating at the 1988 Olympics is the spokesperson for the Winners Walk of Hope.

"After losing my mother to ovarian cancer, I am committed to helping all women know the signs and symptoms of the disease," says Elizabeth.  "We need to work together to raise much needed funds for an early detection test as it is a vital next step in overcoming ovarian cancer."

About Winners Walk of Hope

The Winners Walk of Hope is the single largest fundraiser in Canada that supports ovarian cancer awareness, education and research. Taking place on Sunday September 12, funds raised by the Winners Walk of Hope are put to work supporting ovarian cancer research, increasing awareness of the disease among the public and health professionals, and providing support services to women living with ovarian cancer. The Walk takes place in over 15 major cities nation wide. Register online at winnerswalkofhope.ca.

About Ovarian Cancer Canada

Ovarian Cancer Canada is a registered Canadian charitable organization whose mission is to overcome ovarian cancer, providing leadership by supporting women living with the disease and their families, raising awareness in the general public and with health care professionals and funding research to develop early detection techniques, improved treatment and, ultimately, a cure. www.ovariancanada.org. www.facebook.com/pages/Ovarian-Cancer-Canada/102394063730.

For further information:

For media inquiries, please contact: Ashley Thorpe, Marketing and Communications Manager, Ovarian Cancer Canada, 416 962-2700 ext.234 or [email protected]