Bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, urinary urgency or frequency and difficulty eating or feeling full quickly are four symptoms that may be associated with ovarian cancer, according to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.

Of women’s cancers, ovarian cancer is one of the most deadly. Ovarian cancer forms in tissues of the ovary. Each year in the United States, more than 21,000 women are diagnosed with this type of cancer, according to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

Mammograms help detect breast cancer, Pap smear tests help detect cervical cancer; unfortunately, no screening test exists that can test all women for ovarian cancer. A blood test, transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic exam may be administered by a doctor for women with a strong family history, who are genetically predisposed or experiencing ovarian cancer symptoms.

Don’t be silent; talk to your personal practitioner or contact Millersville University’s Health Services Office at 717-872-3250. Pelvic exams can be administered at health services solely or together with a Pap test and breast exam, as part of the well women’s exam.

For more information on the services provided by health services, visit http://www.millersville.edu/healthservices/. To learn more about ovarian cancer, visit http://www.ovariancancer.org/.