Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: How to Make an Impact and Drive Real Change

September marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial time to focus on a disease that demands our attention and action. This month offers a unique chance to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by ovarian cancer.

When is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month?

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month takes place every September. These 30 days are dedicated to increasing understanding, promoting early detection of ovarian cancer, and supporting those impacted by this challenging disease.

Why Do We Need an Awareness Month?

Ovarian cancer is a formidable opponent that often goes undetected until it’s advanced. Consider these stats from the American Cancer Society:

• Approximately 19,000 women in the U.S. receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis each year.
• Nearly 13,000 women lose their lives to this disease annually.
• When caught early, the five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer exceeds 90%. However, only about 20% of cases are currently detected at this stage.

It’s also crucial to shine a light on the lesser-known types of ovarian cancer, such as low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) and borderline ovarian tumors (BOT):

• According to ovarian cancer facts and research, the average age at diagnosis for LGSOC is around 45 years old, nearly two decades younger than the typical ovarian cancer patient.
• BOTs account for approximately 15% of all epithelial ovarian cancers. While less aggressive, they can still pose significant health risks if left untreated.

These statistics underscore the urgent need for increased awareness, improved screening methods, and accelerated research for more effective treatments. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is designed to catalyze these critical efforts. 

8 Impactful Ways to Support Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

More than just raising awareness, this month provides an opportunity for real, tangible action. 

It’s a time when your involvement can directly contribute to life-saving research, support patients and survivors, and push for policy changes. We’ll explore concrete ways you can make a meaningful difference in the fight against ovarian cancer. From funding cutting-edge research to advocating for better healthcare policies, your actions this month can have a lasting impact on countless lives.

Ready to make a difference? Here are 8 powerful ways you can contribute to the fight against ovarian cancer this September and beyond.

1. Participate in or Promote Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials

The benefits of ovarian cancer clinical trials are innumerable. Clinical trials are crucial for advancing ovarian cancer treatment, but they often struggle to find participants. 

You can make a significant impact in several ways. If you’re a patient, consider joining a clinical trial after discussing options with your gynecologic oncologist. Even if you’re not a patient, you can share information about open trials with support groups or online communities, or volunteer to help researchers recruit participants for studies. 

Another impactful action is donating to ovarian cancer charity organizations that help patients access clinical trials. Additionally, you can advocate for policies that make clinical trials more accessible and diverse. 

By supporting clinical trials, you’re directly contributing to the development of new treatments that could save lives. This action goes beyond awareness and can potentially drive tangible progress in ovarian cancer research.

2. Harness the Power of Social Media

Transform your social media presence into a platform for change:

• Share factual information about ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors
• Post personal stories (with permission) to humanize the impact of the disease
• Create or share infographics that convey key statistics visually

Use hashtags like #OvarianCancerAwarenessMonth and #KnowOvarianCancer to join the larger conversation and increase your reach. Remember, each share has the potential to save a life by spreading crucial information.

3. Join or Organize an Engaging Fundraiser

Fundraising combines purpose with enjoyment. Whether you’re organizing your own event or joining existing activities, there are plenty of ways to get involved:

• Participate in or host an event featuring ovarian cancer education between social activities
• Join a local “Steps for Survivors” walkathon or organize one in your community
• Attend or plan a “Crafting for a Cause” event to create awareness materials
• Look for charity runs, yoga classes, or bake sales supporting ovarian cancer research in your area

The key is to blend fun with education and community support. These events offer a platform for survivors to share their experiences, for attendees to gain valuable knowledge, and for everyone to create positive memories while contributing to a crucial cause. 

Another important thing to note is that your participation as someone who may not be a survivor or directly related to one is incredibly valuable. By showing up and lending your support, you’re demonstrating that this cause matters to the broader community. You’re helping lift up young women affected by ovarian cancer and showing that they don’t face this challenge alone. Your presence and enthusiasm, whether you’re organizing or simply attending, can significantly impact and inspire others to join the fight against ovarian cancer.

4. Become an Informed Advocate

Knowledge is a powerful tool in the fight against ovarian cancer:

• Familiarize yourself with the symptoms (bloating, pelvic pain, feeling full quickly)
• Understand the risk factors and genetic components of ovarian cancer
• Learn about the different types and stages of the disease

Share this knowledge with the women in your life. Consider hosting an informational session at your workplace, community center, or among friends. By spreading accurate information, you empower others to be proactive about their health.

5. Engage in Meaningful Advocacy

Use your voice to drive policy changes that support ovarian cancer research and patient care:

• Write to your representatives about the need for increased research funding
• Advocate for comprehensive health education that includes ovarian health
• Support initiatives that improve access to genetic testing and counseling

Your advocacy efforts can lead to tangible changes in legislation and funding priorities, ultimately improving outcomes for those affected by ovarian cancer.

6. Volunteer Your Time and Skills

Your time and talents can make a significant impact:

• Offer administrative support to local ovarian cancer charity organizations
• Provide transportation for patients attending medical appointments
• Use your professional skills (e.g., graphic design, writing, event planning) to support awareness initiatives

If you’re a survivor, consider becoming a peer mentor or sharing your story at events. Your experiences can offer hope and guidance to those newly diagnosed.

7. Support Targeted Research Through Not These Ovaries

At Not These Ovaries, we’re committed to funding innovative research targeting overlooked ovarian cancer areas, particularly LGSOC and BOT. Here’s why your support matters:

• 100% of donations go directly to research, maximizing the impact of every dollar
• We focus on underfunded areas that have the potential for significant breakthroughs
• Our approach aims to accelerate the development of new treatments and improve patient outcomes

Your contribution, regardless of size, fuels the scientific advancements that bring us closer to better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for ovarian cancer.

8. Amplify Impact: Business Partnerships for Progress

Is your company looking to make a real difference? As a business or brand, you have a unique power to drive significant change in the fight against ovarian cancer. Whether you’re a small local business or a large corporation, you can leverage your resources and customer base to boost awareness, tip the scales towards a major research breakthrough, and fund crucial research by partnering with non-profits like Not These Ovaries.

Let’s look at a recent example. Our new partnership with KYU Restaurants in Miami introduces the New 2 KYU cocktail, with a portion of each sale directly funding ovarian cancer research. This initiative extends beyond Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, creating a lasting impact.

This partnership model integrates support seamlessly into existing operations, engages customers, and provides a sustainable channel for funding vital research initiatives. Through collaborations like this, your customers become active participants in the cause, contributing to innovative research studies and accelerating breakthroughs in ovarian cancer treatment.

Ready to make a difference? Visit this page to learn how you can get involved in various ways. 

The Power of Collective Action

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is more than just a designation on the calendar. It’s a call to action, an opportunity to unite against a formidable disease. Whether you’re sharing information, raising funds, or supporting research, your efforts contribute to a larger movement.

Remember, awareness isn’t passive. It’s about taking concrete steps to make a difference. By participating in Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, you become part of a community dedicated to changing the narrative around this disease. The future of ovarian cancer care depends on the actions we take today.