PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND RECOGNIZES NATIONAL OVARIAN AND GYNECOLOGIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN SEPTEMBER

For Immediate Release: Aug. 29, 2014

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PPSNE encourages women to schedule a checkup in recognition of Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month.

(New Haven, Conn.) — September is both National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) encourages women of all ages to schedule a preventive health screening.

 

About 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the U.S., and approximately 14,250 will die from the disease. Additionally, about 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and around 4,000 will die from the disease.

 

“Gynecological health is important at all stages of adult life. Cervical cancer can affect women before or after menopause,” said Judy Tabar President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. “Women should talk with their health care providers to see how often they should be screened. Preventive health screenings are important and can help detect cancer early.”

 

Whether you – or someone you know – are due for an important preventive health screening, remember the following:

 

• Know your body. Being aware of your body – how it normally looks and feels – is important at any age. If you notice any changes, tenderness or pain, get checked out by a health care provider as soon as possible.
• Know your risk factors. Learn the risks of gynecologic cancers, including a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, and take steps to prevent and catch them early when they are most treatable.
• Know your next checkup date. The earlier cancer is detected and treated, the better. The frequency for checkups is different for different women, but everyone should see their health care providers regularly.

 

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act’s preventive health benefits, more women have access to routine well-woman exams, cervical cancer screenings, and breast exams without copays or other out-of-pocket expenses,” Tabar said.

 

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England works every day to provide high-quality preventive health care. Last year, PPSNE provided more than 12,000 life-saving cancer screenings and preventative services. PPSNE health centers can also help those, who need additional care, connect with trusted, quality resources.

 

To learn more about PPSNE health care services, call (203) 865-5158 or visit ppsne.org.

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Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is one of the region’s largest providers of family planning and reproductive health care services. Since 1923, PPSNE has evolved into an organization with 18 health centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island, delivering care to over 70,000 patients annually, and 90 percent of the services provided are preventive.