Ovarian Cancer Presentation From Bernards Health Department, Sloan-Kettering

Do you know the subtle symptoms of ovarian cancer? The in conjunction with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of Basking Ridge and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition will present a no-charge program on “Current Thoughts on Screening and Treating Ovarian Cancer" on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Bernards Township municipal building.

The evening will include a presentation with Mario Leitao, MD, an associate attending physician with Sloan-Kettering's facility in Basking Ridge. The program, available at no charge, will start with a light dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the 7 p.m. at the municipal building at 1 Collyer Lane in Basking Ridge.

The evening also will include a discussion hosted by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Public invited

The organizers are inviting the public to learn about the early and subtle signs of this disease. Pap tests do not detect ovarian cancer and there is currently no early detection test for ovarian cancer.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 22,280 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 and about 15,500 women will die from the disease, according to information from the Bernards Township Health Department.

Ovarian cancer ranks fifth amongst cancer deaths in women and is the most deadly of all the gynecological cancers. Unfortunately, most cases are diagnosed in their later stages when the prognosis is poor, the health department noted.

However, if diagnosed and treated early, when the cancer is confined to the ovary, the five-year survival rate is over 90 percent, according to the health department.

If interested, kindly reserve your spot by phone to the Bernards Township Health Department at 908-204-2520 or by email at health@bernards.org.

The Bernards Township Health Department is a Contractual Health Agency serving Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, Chester Borough, Long Hill Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, and Peapack and Gladstone Borough.