Each year in Australia, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is held in February to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and to recognise women, their families and friends affected by ovarian cancer.
Throughout February, Ovarian Cancer Australia and the Women's Cancer Institute host activities and events to raise awareness and funds for support, awareness, advocacy and research programs.
Around 1,500 women are expected to have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia in 2014.
In 2011, there were 20 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed in Tasmania and around 1300 cases nationally.
Ovarian cancer can occur in any woman but the risk increases in women over 50 years of age. More than 90 per cent of all ovarian cancers occur in women who do not have a family history.
As there is no accurate and effective test for Ovarian cancer, Cancer Screening and Control Services provide community education and awareness initiatives to support early detection of ovarian cancer for Tasmanian women. For more details visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/cancerscreening
For information on activities being held for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, please visit https://ovariancancer.net.au/awareness/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month/ and http://www.womenscancerfoundation.org.au/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month.