Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) understands the importance of bringing awareness to all gynecologic cancers—cervical, ovarian, uterine/endometrial, vaginal and vulvar cancer—and declared September as Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM) with a goal of reaching more and more people each year.
Use these resources to share knowledge about gynecologic cancer symptoms, risk factors, prevention and early detection—because every five minutes, someone will be diagnosed with one of these cancers and over 33,000 will die from a gynecologic cancer this year.
Looking to take your awareness building to the next level? We are calling on people from across the country to join us for a Month of Movement to raise funds, increase awareness and drive early diagnosis of the 5 gyn cancers.
Spread awareness via social media
Note: We encourage you to visit the Foundation for Women’s Cancer social media pages throughout the month. Feel free to share posts directly to your personal/professional page!
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Examples of written posts
September is #GynecologicCancerAwarenessMonth! Visit foundationforwomenscancer.org for information specific to gynecologic cancer symptoms and treatment, risk and prevention, clinical trials and survivor stories. #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Every five minutes, someone will be diagnosed with one of five gyn cancers and over 33,000 will die from a gynecologic cancer this year. Learn the facts and join the fight to end #gyncancer. https://move4her.raisely.com/ #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Gynecologic oncologists are medical doctors with specialized training in treating gynecologic cancers. If cervical, ovarian, uterine/endometrial cancer, vaginal or vulvar cancer is suspected or diagnosed, seek care from a gynecologic oncologist: bit.ly/fwc-seek-specialist #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
When asked, 9 in 10 #GynOncologists said that patient education is very important to help improve patient outcomes and nearly 8 in 10 said the biggest barrier to early detection of #gyncancer is lack of awareness. You can help #MoveTheMessage to create ripples of positive changes. movethemessage.org #GCAM
During #GynecologicCancerAwarenessMonth, learn about the five gyn cancers. Early detection matters. Take steps today to protect your tomorrows. Visit MoveTheMessage.org to learn more. SHARE and TAG 5 friends you want to protect! Let’s keep it moving! #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Example script for video/audio post:
It’s important to me to move the message about the prevention and early detection of gyn cancers.
[OPTIONAL: Insert a brief personal and/or professional reason why raising awareness about gyn cancers is important to you.]
We all can take steps today to protect our tomorrows.
And speaking of steps – today I am [insert type of exercise – e.g. dancing, walking, jogging, doing aerobics, weight lifting, etc] as a part of my commitment to Move4Her, a fundraising event for the Foundation for Women’s Cancer.
I challenge [call out the names of five people, then tag them in your video post] to post a video sharing why gyn cancer awareness matters and doing a form of movement. Then, challenge five of your friends to do the same! Get moving, friends!
Make an impact by giving a gift in support of my Move4Her team. I’ll drop the link to my fundraising page in the comment section of this post!
[Insert the hyperlink to your fundraising page in the comments after posting the video/audio clip and the hashtag #MoveTheMessage to your social media page as a post.]
Note: We encourage you to visit the Foundation for Women’s Cancer social media pages throughout the month. Feel free to share posts directly to your personal/professional page!
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
A comprehensive guide to #CervicalCancer is ready for your review. Learn the facts. Join the fight to end gyn cancers. bit.ly/fwc-cervical-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
#CervicalCancer symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, bleeding after vaginal sex, vaginal odor and pelvic or abdominal pain. Any of these signs should be checked out by a gynecologist. bit.ly/fwc-cervical-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Most cases of #CervicalCancer are now preventable. Get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine before becoming sexually active and have your children vaccinated at ages 11-12. bit.ly/fwc-cervical-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
The best way to find #CervicalCancer early is to have regular Pap tests and HPV tests between ages 21 and 65 at intervals recommended by your health care provider. bit.ly/fwc-cervical-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Note: We encourage you to visit the Foundation for Women’s Cancer social media pages throughout the month. Feel free to share posts directly to your personal/professional page!
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
A comprehensive guide to #OvarianCancer is ready for your review. Learn the facts. Join the fight to end gyn cancers. bit.ly/fwc-ovarian-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
There is currently no good screening for #OvarianCancer. See a gynecologist if you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks: bloating, urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency), pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. bit.ly/fwc-ovarian-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Only 15% of #OvarianCancer cases are detected at the earliest, most curable stage. Know early detection tips: See a doctor if you have symptoms. Schedule regular check-ups, including pelvic exams. Know your family history and ask your doctor about genetic testing. bit.ly/fwc-ovarian-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
One in 71 women will develop #OvarianCancer in their lifetime. Studies show that patients treated by gynecologic oncologists at high-volume centers have improved outcomes. bit.ly/fwc-ovarian-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Note: We encourage you to visit the Foundation for Women’s Cancer social media pages throughout the month. Feel free to share posts directly to your personal/professional page!
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
A comprehensive guide to #EndometrialCancer, also known as #UterineCancer, is ready for your review. Learn the facts. Join the fight to end gyn cancers. bit.ly/fwc-endo-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
#EndometrialCancer, also known as #UterineCancer, is the most common gynecologic cancer. Managing your weight, exercising regularly and keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar under control are ways to lower your risk of endometrial cancer. bit.ly/fwc-endo-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Early detection improves the chances #EndometrialCancer will be treated successfully. See a gynecologist if you experience unusual vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge, pain in the pelvic area, or pain during sexual intercourse. bit.ly/fwc-endo-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
At menopause, all women should be told about the risks and symptoms of #EndometrialCancer, and strongly encouraged to report any vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge to their doctor. bit.ly/fwc-endo-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Three out of four women are diagnosed with #EndometrialCancer at Stage 1. Cancer usually occurs around the time of menopause, but younger women are also at risk. bit.ly/fwc-endo-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Note: We encourage you to visit the Foundation for Women’s Cancer social media pages throughout the month. Feel free to share posts directly to your personal/professional page!
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
A comprehensive guide to #VaginalCancer is ready for your review. Learn the facts. Join the fight to end gyn cancers. bit.ly/fwc-vaginal-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Signs of #VaginalCancer include unusual vaginal bleeding, pain, problems with urination or bowel movements, a watery discharge, or a lump or mass in the vagina. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a gynecologist. bit.ly/fwc-vaginal-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
#VaginalCancer is associated persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Risks are reduced through early HPV vaccination and by participating in Pap tests at intervals recommended by your health care provider. bit.ly/fwc-vaginal-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Most cases of #VaginalCancer are on the surface (squamous epthelium) of the vagina and usually affect women between 50-70 years old. bit.ly/fwc-vaginal-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Note: We encourage you to visit the Foundation for Women’s Cancer social media pages throughout the month. Feel free to share posts directly to your personal/professional page!
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
A comprehensive guide to #VulvarCancer is ready for your review. Learn the facts. Join the fight to end gyn cancers. bit.ly/fwc-vulvar-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Signs of #VulvarCancer or pre-cancer include chronic itching, skin color changes (lighter or darker, red or pink), bump or lump with wart-like or raw surfaces, pain or burning, and bleeding or disharge not related to the normal menstrual period. Any symptoms should be checked out by a gynecologist. bit.ly/fwc-vulvar-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
While there is no standard screening for #VulvarCancer, knowing what to look for can help with early detection—an area on the vulva that looks different than normal, a bump or lump (red, pink or white), thickening of the skin of the vulva or an open sore. bit.ly/fwc-vulvar-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
#VulvarCancer can be associated with smoking, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, as well as conditions of the vulva associated with chronic irritation and inflammation. Know the facts and reduce your risk. bit.ly/fwc-vulvar-cancer #MoveTheMessage #GCAM #gyncancer
Download, print and share educational materials
Add resources to your personal, organizational or institutional website
Incorporate the content below on the websites you have access to so others know where to go to learn more about gynecologic cancers.
The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) is dedicated to supporting research, education and public awareness of gynecologic cancers. Visit their website for information specific to gynecologic cancer symptoms and treatment, risk and prevention, clinical trials and survivor stories.
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM) and each year the FWC strives to bring even more attention to these cancers. Learn how you can get involved.
Every 5 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with 1 of the 5 gyn cancers – cervical, ovarian, uterine/endometrial, vaginal, or vulvar – totaling more than 109,000 Americans each year. The Foundation for Women’s Cancer is determined to change that, and is raising critical funds this month to do just that. Join them by registering or Move4Her.
Spread awareness in your community
Whether you or someone you care about has been impacted by gynecologic cancers, you’re in a position to share your experience and empower others with the knowledge you’ve gained. Your efforts this Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM) can have a huge impact on individual lives and the community at large.
Get the word out to local media
- Submit a letter to the editor in your community newspaper. Reference this guide (provided by Public Health Institute) to writing a letter that makes an impact.
Get your work involved
- Distribute educational resources (provided above) in your office.
- Select a day where everyone wears purple, the awareness color for gynecologic cancers. Take a picture and share it on your company’s social media pages using #GCAM and #MoveTheMessage.
- Place a donation jar at your desk or in a common area and let your colleagues know you’re raising money through FWC’s Move4Her.
Do something at school
- Distribute educational resources (provided above) on community boards.
- Encourage your health and wellness center to share these resources and spread awareness about the HPV vaccine (as it lowers the risk of three out of five gynecologic cancers).
- Plan a creative event where you can share gynecologic cancer resources and raise funds for your Move4Her team.
Attend a local health fair
- Reach out to the organizers and ask if there’s an opportunity for you to share FWC resources at their event.
Find out if the nearest cancer center is promoting GCAM
- Check out your local cancer center’s website to see what events they have planned during September.
If you find out about GCAM events in your area, share them! Post them on social media, email them to family and friends, or send event information to your local news outlets.