Branchburg Teen Leads Saint Peter's Ovarian Cancer Symposium

Those life-and-death lessons have taught Kristin much of what there is to know about ovarian cancer, what turns out to be enough of an education that Kristin has become an outspoken advocate of teaching “women of all ages to be aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer so that, until a cure is found, at least the disease can be detected in its earliest stages at a time when there is the greatest chance of survival.”  Now her mission is about to take huge leap forward.

On Sunday, Sept. 29 – part of “Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month” – Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick will partner with Kristin to host a three-hour-long program of information about ovarian cancer, complete with expert speakers, survivors’ stories, and other information women should know.

And Kristin is the organizer. She has pieced together a roster of speakers including Wilberto Nieves-Neira, MD, an expert in cancer research and an assistant professor at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey; Michelle Horner, MS, CGC, genetic counselor supervisor in the Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine at Saint Peter’s University Hospital; Teresa Grasso, RD, CDE, outpatient nutritionist at Saint Peter’s; Karen Herzog of Liberty, Ohio, and Dorinda Sparacio of Hightstown, each of whom is a survivor of ovarian cancer, and Janice Swierczek of Trenton, an advocate for government support. 

Ovarian cancer claims the lives of more than 14,000 U.S. women every year. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include: abdominal pressure; pelvic discomfort or pain; persistent indigestion, gas or nausea; changes in bowel habits; changes in bladder habits; loss of appetite or quickly feeling full; increased abdominal girth; a persistent lack of energy, and lower back pain.

Women who have a family history of ovarian cancer should speak with their physician, who may refer them to a genetic counselor to discuss testing for certain gene mutations that increase the risk of ovarian cancers.

“This is personal,” Kristin said. “By attending the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day many women will realize that their annual gynecologic pap smear will not detect ovarian cancer. They need to recognize the symptoms to get early treatment.”

Kristin also happens to be a Girl Scout. She has arranged the conference as one step toward earning the much-coveted Gold Award in Girl Scouting.

The free-to-the-public symposium will begin at 1 p.m. in the Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.  Doors will open at 12:45 p.m. Call 908-635-9107 or email OCAD.Sept29@gmail.com for more information and to RSVP. Please RSVP by Friday, Sept. 20. Refreshments will be provided.

Attendees are encouraged to wear teal – the color of the ovarian cancer fight.

-Saint Peter's University Hospital