| Teal Ribbons Deliver a Warning Teal ribbons are showing up in municipalities throughout Delaware to promote awareness of a “silent killer” of women. The efforts are part of “Turn the Towns Teal,” a national campaign conducted during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September). A woman’s risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 78. If caught at its earliest stages, ovarian cancer can be successfully treated. However, because victims either do not display symptoms or often mistake and dismiss them, it is especially deadly. According to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, the 5-year relative survival rate for ovarian cancer can be as high as 90% for some Stage I patients, but as low as 17% for those in Stage IV. Women are urged to consult with their doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms on a consistent basis: Bloating or swollen belly area Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly (early satiety) Pelvic or lower abdominal pain. (The area may feel “heavy.”) To learn more about ovarian cancer’s signs and symptoms, click here. |
State Rep. Steve Smyk | Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover, DE 19901
