'A silent cancer': Survivors raise awareness during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

’A silent cancer’: Survivors raise awareness during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
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NEW BERLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 78 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime.

"Ovarian cancer is a whisper cancer, a silent cancer. You don't even know you have it," said Brenda Hendries, who is currently receiving treatment.

Hendries was diagnosed with ovarian cancer exactly one year ago.

"I had a bloated stomach, and a little bit of discomfort by my umbilical cord," Hendries said. That's what brought her in to get checked.

Now, Hendries receives chemo every three weeks. Her treatment seems to be working.

"I'm a positive person. I have to have that to get through this," Hendries said.

She's one of many women receiving support from WOCA, the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance, based in New Berlin.

Their mission is to educate others about disease and provide resources.

"Generally, individuals are diagnosed in later stages, stage 3 or stage 4," said WOCA's executive director, Ashley Schneider. "There's just not enough awareness about the disease."

WOCA has a support group that meets monthly, uniting survivors, such as Karen Wowrzonkowski, who was diagnosed in 2016.

"I underwent 18 weeks of chemo, ended that in January of 2017, and I have been blessedly cancer-free since," Wowrzonkowski said.

Now, she uses her experience to help others.

"One message I could get out to people, just really listen to your body, and at least raise the question with your doctor," Wowrzonkowski said.

There isn't a diagnostic screening for ovarian cancer. It cannot be detected in a pap test.

The key to awareness is learning the symptoms, using the acronym, BEAT.

"Bloating, eating difficulty, abdominal pain, and tinkle, tinkle, tinkle." Schneider said.

Anyone experiencing those symptoms for more than two weeks should call a doctor.

While every case is different, WOCA proves all survivors need support.

"We want people to know, you're not alone, we're here for you," Schneider said.

"They're giving me hope, and in return I'm giving them hope," Hendries said.

For more information about WOCA, click here.

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