September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

docholligay:

So, I wasn’t even sure I was going to post anything about
this, I know y’all are basically bombarded everyday with shit you reblog and
figure “mischief managed” or whatever the fuck ever, and that’s not helpful, so
I was like, “Why even bother?”

But I gotta, because if even one of you listens to me, it’ll
be worth it.

So September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which, I
know, you’re all AWARE that ovarian cancer is a thing that exists.

But I need you to listen to me. Give me five minutes. If you
or someone you care about has ovaries, (so this should be all of you), you need
to listen to me.

Because I’m not here to fuck around, or put a cute little
sticker on it, or even reassure you. This shit will kill you dead. Only 15% of
ovarian cancer is discovered in early stages, and once you get beyond the early
stages, the survival rate tanks. And even when you DO include the early stage
people, the general survival rate is 45%.

And the fact of  the
matter is that the symptoms are bullshit.

• Feeling bloated 
• Feeling full 
• Stomach pain 
• Feeling like you have to pee all the time.

You know, what some of us call, “Being alive.” So people
ignore them, and usually, they’re right.

But here’s the thing, and if I can impress anything upon
you, let it be this:

GET YOUR F U C K I N
G PELVIC EVERY YEAR.

And, and I know this is hard for some people, but be bossy
when they’re down there. Tell them to make sure to feel your ovaries, which is uncomfortable
and sucks, but sometimes the only sign early on is enlarged ovaries. That’s it.
And even with that, sometimes it can be tough for the best examiner to tell. It’s
just a shitty, insidious little cancer.

Know your risk factors. Knowing is half the battle.

And honestly, this is one of those things that needs to be
researched. We NEED better early screening, that is what’s going to change
everything.

If you’re considering donating, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
has the best financials, and amazing transparency, and they’re not working
toward that nebulous “awareness”—they’re working to keep ovarian cancer from
killing so many fucking people.

I know this isn’t one of those things you care about until
it hits you in the ass, and I’m guilty of same, but just keep it in the back of
your mind, bring it forward from time to time, and just, for me, consider it.

Numbers sourced from here