Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance March on the Capitol Sept. 3

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA) “March on the Capitol,” on Fri., Sept. 3, noon, on the west steps of the State Capitol, features speakers State Representative, and cancer survivor, Dianne Primavera; Dr. Sami Diab, oncologist and founder, Colorado Integrative Cancer Care; and Dr. Janine Slowinski, radiologist, and ovarian cancer survivor.

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and COCA’s (www.colo-ovariancancer.org) mission is to provide women throughout the state with education, support and advocacy about this deadly cancer. Additionally, Gov. Bill Ritter has issued a decree that September is Colorado Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Lucy Trujillo, COCA executive director, diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Sept. 2007, said, “We want women to pay attention to their bodies and learn about the warning signs of gynecologic cancers. The Centers for Disease Control, through Johanna's Law, offer excellent gynecologic education. There is no test for ovarian cancer. Nor does a pap smear detect ovarian cancer. In Colorado, one in 54 women face a lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, 330 are diagnosed each year and 220 women die. Disease symptoms are easily missed, dismissed or misdiagnosed.”

Symptoms include:
• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary urgency or frequency.

About COCA:

The Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance (COCA), a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit established in June, 2005, promotes awareness about ovarian cancer through advocacy, education and support. COCA is a partner member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA). COCA advocates for women with ovarian cancer through participation in activities at the local, state and national levels with its annual September March on the Capitol and annual June COCA Run/Walk. COCA educates women, families, doctors and health care providers about early detection of ovarian cancer through its Survivors Teaching Students™ program and COCA Speakers Bureau, and COCA supports survivors through Nicki's Circle Ovarian Cancer Support Groups. For more information, call 1-800-428-0642 or go to www.colo-ovariancancer.org.