During the month of September, ovarian cancer organizations across the United States launch their BEAT ovarian cancer awareness campaign. September marks the nationwide observance of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, as designated by the President of the United States.
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA), the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) have teamed up to educate women about listening to their bodies and recognizing the symptoms of the disease.
Started in the United Kingdom as an international initiative, BEAT is based on an easy-to-remember checklist for women and their doctors:
B – is for Bloating that is persistent
E – is for Eating less and feeling fuller
A – is for Abdominal pain
T – is for Trouble with your bladder
The campaign has continued to grow across the English-speaking world. Other international charities include Ovacome, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance of Canada, Silver Ribbon Foundation of New Zealand and Ovarian Cancer Australia.
OCNA, NOCC, GCF and OCRF are looking forward to working together with our international colleagues to share expertise, educate women and help those affected by ovarian cancer. We hope that by promoting these warning signs in a memorable and easy way, women will be more easily able to discuss ovarian cancer with their doctors, and those with the disease can feel reassured that they were diagnosed as quickly as possible.
We encourage all communities to get involved. A downloadable BEAT campaign flyer and additional educational materials can be found at the following web sites: www.ovariancancer.org, www.ovarian.org, www.thegcf.org and www.ocrf.org.