FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 10, 2007

CONTACT:
Carole Roper

(202) 331-1332
croper@ovariancancer.org


First National Agenda for Ovarian Cancer Announced Today

Ovarian cancer community launches National Agenda to advance

ovarian cancer research, patient care and advocacy

Washington, D.C. ? The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance today released the first National Agenda for Ovarian Cancer, a platform for change for the deadliest of all of the gynecologic cancers and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women.

Developed with participation from the ovarian cancer community, the National Agenda consists of three critically important initiatives:

* advance ovarian cancer research
* improve health care practice
* expand the national advocacy movement for ovarian cancer.

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance will measure the progress towards these goals and report on them annually. Some of the specific objectives outlined by the National Agenda include:
* double the total federal research funding
* improve awareness of risks and symptoms among both women and health care practitioners
* strengthen the already growing movement into a coordinated national force by training advocates to engage at all levels of the political process

The overall five-year relative survival rate for all women with ovarian cancer is 45 percent. This means that compared to women in the general population, five years from the time of diagnosis only 45 percent of women with ovarian cancer are still alive.

However, survival rate improves greatly?to 93 percent?if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, before it has spread. Only 19 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at this local stage.

The National Agenda?s launch coincides with the announcement of a landmark partnership between the Alliance and three of the nation?s most effective cancer advocacy organizations. The four organizations will be the focus of the Frosted Pink Campaign, a television event that will air nationally from 4 to 6 p.m. ET Sunday, October 14 on ABC-TV and ESPN. The campaign?s goal is to raise awareness and inspire action in the fight against women?s cancers.

?Frosted Pink presented by sanofi-aventis and Wachovia? will feature a mix of music, figure skating and Hollywood stars to empower women, raise awareness of women?s cancers and inspire action. More than 250,000 women are diagnosed with women?s cancers every year.

The program will re-air on the Style Network on Monday, October 22 at 8 p.m. ET, followed by subsequent airings throughout the remainder of the month.

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance?s mission is to conquer ovarian cancer by uniting individuals and organizations in a national movement. Since forming in 1997, the Alliance has been the leading advocate for research, policy and education in ovarian cancer.

Click the links below to read the National Agenda. The first goes to the full report, the second to the main document and the third to the appendices.

National Agenda for Ovarian Cancer

Full Report (PDF) http://www.ovariancancer.org/dsp_ema...SERIDTOREPLACE

Main Document (PDF) http://www.ovariancancer.org/dsp_ema...SERIDTOREPLACE

Appendices (PDF) http://www.ovariancancer.org/dsp_ema...SERIDTOREPLACE

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

In June, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Cancer Society announced the first consensus statement on ovarian cancer, which was endorsed by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

* Bloating
* Pelvic or abdominal pain
* Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
* Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities, although these symptoms are found equally in women without the disease.

Women with these symptoms should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist, if these symptoms occur almost daily for more than a few weeks. Experts suggest a combination pelvic/rectal exam, a transvaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 blood test.


Carole Roper
Director of Communications and Marketing
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
910 17th St., NW, Suite 1190
Washington, D.C. 20006
202-331-1332 (phone)
202-331-2292 (fax)
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance - Uniting Individuals And Organizations In A National Movement To Conquer Ovarian Cancer

Help the ovarian cancer community advance research, improve access to patient care and promote advocacy. Support the National Agenda for Ovarian Cancer.