September: Awareness For Ovarian and Prostate Cancer
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September 2, 2009
ST. LOUIS - Women, listen up: Don't skip your annual GYN exam. That's the message from Planned Parenthood this September, for GYN Cancer Awareness Month. The broad category includes five common types of cancers - cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths for women.
Paula Gianino, the executive director of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, says two-thirds of women with ovarian cancer are over the age of 55.
"Particularly for women as they're moving out of their reproductive age, it's vitally important that they continue to get annual exams, for their health and wellness and for early detection of any types of cancerous and precancerous conditions."
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 15,000 women die each year from ovarian cancer in the United States.
September also includes National Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. Gianino says prostate cancer is currently the second- leading cause of death for men, but early detection gives men a fighting chance to beat the cancer.
"More importantly, you can't put a price tag on being healthy and well and getting early diagnosis, because that will mean the difference between life and death for many people."
Gianino says men over 60 are at a higher risk for prostate cancer, and the cancer is more common in African-American men. National Prostate Cancer Awareness week is September 20th through the 26th.