5 Things You Can Do to Raise Awareness for Ovarian Cancer

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.

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.

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

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.