The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is to highlight ovarian cancer with a host of activities during September

The organisation is to sell cards as a means of spreading information during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month about the disease which kills 15,000 women every year in the US.

And it is hoping the public will respond on September 4 by wearing the colour teal.

"Teal is the ovarian cancer community's colour, like pink is for breast cancer," said a Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre spokesperson.

According to the organisation, it determined it was especially important to raise public awareness about the disease as there are no reliable routine screening tests for ovarian cancer as there are with other forms of the disease.

"Many women may think that their annual gynaecological exam and Pap smear will catch ovarian cancer, but the Pap smear actually checks for cervical cancer, not ovarian," explained the spokesperson. "And though your gynecologist can perform an annual pelvic exam to spot abnormalities with your ovaries, the doctor may not be able to detect a tumour unless it has grown very large."

The main symptoms for ovarian cancer include pelvic and abdominal pain, persistent bloating and difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. A personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer can also increase the likelihood of developing the cancer.

The organisation's education officer, Rhonda Smith-Simmons, said that the best indicator of ovarian cancer is the woman herself. "There is no screening test and no cure for ovarian cancer. Women should listen to their bodies. By doing so, they will know what is unusual for them.

"Few women know enough about ovarian cancer in order for it to be detected early."

Cards created with the sponsorship of the Mid-Ocean Ladies Golf Group will be sold at the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre's headquarters on Point Finger Road and at All Wrapped Up in the Washington Mall. They can also be purchased online at www.chc.bm.