Cancer can throw a lot your way. Now it’s time to fight back. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and there are plenty of ways to share your story and make your voice heard.
“People lose so much control to cancer,” says Lauren-Ashley German, the director of communications at the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC). “So having a platform and a voice to speak out on behalf of survivors and for women everywhere to know about ovarian cancer gives you a sense of control and a purpose.”
While you don’t have to wait for a specific month to speak up — advocacy is a year-round effort — there are ways you can make a real, lasting impact in your community right now.
1. Tell Someone About Ovarian Cancer
Talk about it on social media. Bring it up in a casual conversation. For many women, the first time they hear about ovarian cancer is after they’re diagnosed with it, says German. “We hear a lot about breast cancer, or even cervical cancer, especially in the women’s health space, but we don’t hear a lot about ovarian cancer,” she says.
It’s not exactly clear why that’s the case, but some people may not feel as comfortable talking about gynecologic cancers as they would other types of cancer. “I feel like we’re just now comfortable talking about breast cancer at a national level,” says German. “Only in the last 10 to 20 years was the stigma really broken.”
The more we talk about ovarian cancer — both in real life and online — the less stigma there will be and the more awareness people will have of the disease.
2. Share Your Story With Others
You have a story to tell — right now. “We define ‘survivor’ from the moment of diagnosis,” says German. “We consider surviving to be not just the years after treatment, but about meeting each day with resilience.”
One way to do that is by sharing your story, whether that’s in a Facebook post or through a national organization, such as the NOCC, which runs a program called Stories of Inspiration. “We invite survivors at any part of their journey to submit their stories, so we can give them a platform to amplify their voice,” says German.
You can also share your story with Ovarcome, an ovarian cancer support organization, and by posting #OvarcomerStory on your social media.
Consider telling people how you got your diagnosis, what you’ve learned during your journey so far, and what you’d tell someone who has been newly diagnosed.
3. Donate to Ovarian Cancer Research
If you’re able, consider donating to ovarian cancer (or cancer in general) organizations, which help fund research, provide support to women who are living with ovarian cancer, and raise awareness. Some organizations include the NOCC, Ovarcome, and the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA).
4. Advocate for Early Detection and Research
One of the best ways to create change, nationwide, is to meet with elected officials who can advocate for legislative changes, such as more funding for research purposes or more access to clinical trials. One way to do so is to participate in OCRA’s Advocacy Days, in which people who are currently living with or have had cancer, as well as their loved ones and supporters, come to Washington, DC, to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer.
You can also send letters to your elected officials through the organization’s Take Action Now program.
5. Connect With Others in the Ovarian Cancer Community
If you haven’t connected with a support group yet, now might be a good time to consider joining one. “That’s really where relationships blossom,” says German. Research shows that joining a support group allows you to learn from others and hear other people’s experiences. It also allows you to help others.
Reach out to a cancer organization to find a local support group in your area, or ask your healthcare team or a hospital social worker for a referral. The right group for you may depend on which stage of the cancer journey you’re currently in (e.g., recently diagnosed or living with ovarian cancer for years).
You can also participate in public events, such as the NOCC’s Together in TEAL, a run/walk event that raises awareness for ovarian cancer, honors survivors, and celebrates the memories of lost loved ones and friends.
“We hear time and time again that support groups are a lifeline for our survivors,” says German.
Above all, never doubt that you can have an impact on others. “There are so many ways that anyone — not just ovarian cancer survivors, but anyone who’s interested in spreading ovarian cancer awareness — can get involved,” she says. “There’s no task too big or too small. It takes all of us.”
The Takeaway
- There are many ways to get involved during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and one of the most effective ones is to share your story with others.
- If possible, make a financial donation to an ovarian cancer research organization, or contact your local legislators to push for more funding.
- Consider joining a support group, which not only allows you to learn from others, but also helps you support other people on the same journey.
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