Ovarian Cancer Awareness month culminates with a ‘Mind, Body and Spirit’ luncheon on Sunday to promote awareness on the disease known as the ‘Silent Killer’.Under the theme entitled ‘Break the Silence’ a new advocacy group for Ovarian Cancer awareness organised a month-long schedule of events in September for Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.Events included a panel discussion forum on Monday at the AIG building, featuring two leading medical practitioners specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Ian Fulton and Dr Terry Emery with Education Officer at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, Rhonda Smith Simmons.The keynote address at the luncheon on Sunday at Fairmont Hamilton Princess will be delivered by executive director of Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, Tara Soares.Spokeswoman Pattyann Flood said the group was formed after a group of women, family and friends decided to come together to promote awareness.Their main goal is to get the word out to women in particular to know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.“Our mission is to provide a wealth of information on ovarian cancer and to encourage our community to get intimately involved,” said Ms Flood.“Ovarian cancer is a silent killer of mothers, sisters, daughters and friends.”The disease adopted the name because it “mimics other ailments and people are treated for the wrong ailment”.In many cases she said those affected often find out later they have ovarian cancer “and by that time it is too far gone”.The key however is early detection.“Like any other cancer, if detected early the chances of survival is increased significantly. This disease has no discrimination, from a young woman to a woman in her 80s, in all races.“Our mission is to educate our women to watch for all the symptoms,” Ms Flood said.There is also a potential risk “that women with or [who] had breast cancer will develop ovarian cancer”.Ms Flood added that she has heard countless personal accounts of women affected since she decided to get involved.“I have heard of a senior school student who developed this disease in her final year, just around the time of final exams.“She’s still travelling abroad for follow-up treatment to make sure that it doesn’t come back or that she does not develop breast cancer,” she said.“One person also shared that she had three friends who had breast cancer who were treated and they were fine, but then died from ovarian cancer.”Part proceeds will go toward assisting women in need of testing and to help with travel costs for treatment abroad.Ms Flood noted that “quite often even with insurance coverage there’s the added expense of food, ground transportation and accommodation abroad”.The buffet luncheon will be held in the Gazebo Room at 1.30pm. Tickets are still available at $75 from the CHC or contact Patty at 799-3685 or Denise at Sprint Int’l Express 542-3000.For more information visit the group’s website at www.ovariancancerawareness.webs.com.