What Are Those Teal Ribbons For?

Teal ribbons can be found around the Delaware Valley, from downtown Wayne to Powell Road in Springfield.

The message is simple. The disease is not. The ribbons are trying to increase awareness of Ovarian Cancer. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. They promote the Get Real With Teal campaign and sandyovarian.org.

Have pictures of ribbons or other Ovarian Cancer Awareness efforts? Upload them to this story.

The Get Real With Teal campaign is about educating the public during the month by “hanging teal ribbons, texting Teal to 20222, wearing teal laces, viewing teal lights or handing out symptom cards,” according to the campaign’s Facebook page.

The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, of Havertown, is organizing the awareness campaign. The Foundation’s Facebook page lists a variety of events this month, including the arrival of 30,000 teal ribbons in August.

The signs and symptoms that could indicate ovarian cancer, according to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition are:                         

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
• Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often

  Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:                   

• Fatigue
• Upset stomach or heartburn
• Back pain
• Pain during sex
• Constipation or menstrual changes

For more information, check out the Frequently Asked Questions from the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.