Toll Free National Teleconference for Women with Ovarian Cancer-September 18

Aug. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Support Connection, Inc. announces a free Toll-Free National Teleconference for Women with Ovarian Cancer. It will take place on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 from 8 pm - 9 pm (NY time.) In addition to offering educational information, the teleconference format enables women living with ovarian cancer to make connections with and gain support from other survivors, regardless of where they live. It is being held in September in recognition of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Guest speaker is Dr. Michael Seiden, M.D., PhD., President and CEO of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Seiden has served on the faculty of Massachusetts General Hospital, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School. His interests have included translational research in gynecological malignancies with a focus on ovarian cancer. At Fox Chase, Dr. Seiden is the Principal Investigator for the NCI-sponsored comprehensive cancer grant, and serves the same role for the NCI-funded SPORE grant shared by Fox Chase and the University of Pennsylvania.

Topics will include: The evolving knowledge about different subtypes of ovarian cancer; the move toward treatment based on tumor type; the potential for individualized therapy through molecular profiling; recent reports on clinical trials such as the role of Avastin; an update on the status of PARP Inhibitors and Taxanes. Also to be discussed: “BRCAness” (i.e. traits some cancers share with those occurring in mutation carriers BRCA1 or BRCA2) and possible implications for treatment. Question and answer period facilitated by a Support Connection Peer Counselor.

The program is free. Women interested in participating should call Support Connection IN ADVANCE to register and receive instructions. On the night of the teleconference, participants will call a special toll-free number and be connected with the group. To learn more or to register, call Support Connection at 914-962-6402 or 1-800-532-4290.

This program is presented by Support Connection as part of their 2012 “Tune In and Take Charge!” campaign to build awareness of ovarian cancer signs and symptoms, to encourage women to self-advocate for their own health, and to give women the tools they need to take action.

Support Connection, Inc. is a not for profit organization based in Yorktown Heights, NY that provides free, confidential support services and programs to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Support Connection’s services include one-on-one peer counseling, ongoing support groups, wellness classes and workshops, educational forums, referrals and resource information. To learn more visit www.supportconnection.org. Support Connection Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support: We’ve been there. We care.

OVARIAN CANCER ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death in women in the US, and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers. It is estimated that in the United States this year, about 21,990 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 15,460 will die from it. If ovarian cancer is found and treated before the cancer has spread outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is 94%. However, only 15% of all ovarian cancers are found at this early stage. (American Cancer Society)