NOCC's Goal: Raise Awareness

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) recently opened the Linda K. Manning Division. Lindsay M. Chapman, whose mother passed away from ovarian cancer in 2002, heads the division. NOCC?s mission is to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and to promote education about the disease. NOCC's goals are to:

• Provide the medical community and the general population with a national resource focused solely on ovarian cancer
• Offer complete and accurate information regarding ovarian cancer
• Obtain more funding for patient and public education, professional education, and basic and clinical research

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gyneco-logic cancers. An estimated 1 in 55 women will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime, according to the NOCC. Although no early diagnostic test for ovarian cancer exists, there are symptoms women can look for, including pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort, pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, and bloating and/or a feeling of fullness. Recent studies showed that the risk of ovarian cancer could be reduced by the use of oral contraceptives, pregnancy and breast-feeding, tubal ligation, and hysterectomy. To learn more about ovarian cancer, contact Lindsay M. Chapman at houstonovarian@yahoo.com, visit www.ovarian.org, or call NOCC at 888-OVARIAN. For a free brochure, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 500 NE Spanish River Blvd, Suite 14, Boca Raton, FL 33431.