Ann Harris Smith Foundation

10/01/2026

Did you know? 💭

There is a proven genetic link between some ovarian and breast cancer.

🩵 Reduce your risk with annual exams.
🩷 Consider genetic testing.
🩵 Screening and self-awareness.
🩷 Collect family health history.

Remember the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

𝘽𝙇𝙊𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 · 𝘿𝙄𝙁𝙁𝙄𝘾𝙐𝙇𝙏𝙔 𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙊𝙍 𝙁𝙀𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇 𝙌𝙐𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙇𝙔 · 𝙐𝙍𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙍𝙔 𝙐𝙍𝙂𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙔/𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙌𝙐𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙔 · 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙎𝙏𝙄𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 · 𝙋𝙀𝙇𝙑𝙄𝘾 𝙊𝙍 𝘼𝘽𝘿𝙊𝙈𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙋𝘼𝙄𝙉

09/28/2026

Knowledge is power. And when it comes to your health, knowing the signs can make all the difference. Ovarian cancer symptoms can be easy to overlook or mistaken for something else, which is why it's important to know what's normal for your body and recognize when something changes.

Listen to your body. Pay attention to symptoms that are new, persistent, or feel different from your usual. Advocate for yourself, ask questions, and talk openly with your doctor. Because knowing your body, trusting your instincts, and speaking up for your health can be powerful.

09/27/2026

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 🩵

This September, we are encouraging everyone to create a preventative action plan to protect your health.

The Four basics of Ovarian Cancer Self-Awareness to reduce your ovarian cancer risk and catch any potential problems at an early, treatable stage:

• Know your hereditary risk of ovarian cancer. Your family history is a powerful roadmap.
• Know the signs & symptoms of ovarian cancer. Stay alert to changes or other symptoms. Many of the signs are vague. If you experience any of the following for more than 2-3 weeks, it's time to contact a health provider and ask, "Could it be my ovaries?"
• Know your normal. If you notice something unusual, write down your symptoms and keep track of them so that you have a better idea of what is happening and when it began. Problems might be temporary or could be the beginning of a concerning trend.
• Know what healthy steps you can take to reduce your cancer risk. Eating well and moving more to maintain a healthy weight promotes overall health, and reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. Avoiding smoking to***co also protects you from certain types of ovarian cancer.

09/26/2026

This year, thousands of women will hear the words “ovarian cancer.”

Awareness can help us recognize the signs, start important conversations, and encourage women to listen to their bodies.

Take a moment to learn about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer as they can show as:

· Abdominal pain
· Urinary frequency or change in bathroom habits
· Feeling full quickly
· Bloating
· Fatigue

09/25/2026

Can urinary frequency/urgency or constipation be a sign of ovarian cancer?

Noticing changes in your bathroom habits? Urinary frequency, urgency, or constipation can have many causes, but when these changes are new, persistent, or different from your normal, they're worth paying attention to. Ovarian cancer can sometimes cause pressure on the bladder or bowel, leading to a more frequent or urgent need to urinate, difficulty emptying your bladder, or changes in bowel habits such as constipation.

These symptoms are easy to dismiss because they can be caused by many common conditions. What matters is recognizing a pattern that feels like a "new normal." If changes in your bathroom habits persist for two weeks or longer, talk with your healthcare provider and get checked.

09/24/2026

09/24/2026

Together, we can make a difference. 🩵 We believe that educating women of all ages is crucial for early detection.

Take a moment to learn about the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer at OvarianCancerPledge.org

09/23/2026

Can your eating habits like loss of appetite or feeling full quickly be a sign of ovarian cancer?

Feeling full all the time or experiencing a change in appetite?
Changes in the way you eat can be symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Some women may feel unusually full after eating only a small amount, making it difficult to finish a meal even when they felt hungry beforehand. Persistent indigestion, nausea, or vomiting may also occur and can be associated with ovarian or other gynecologic cancers. While these symptoms can have many causes, it's important to pay attention when they happen more often than usual or feel different from your normal.

Body changes that become a "new normal" are worth noticing Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have cancer. But if they persist for two weeks or longer, talk with your healthcare provider and get checked.

09/23/2026

09/22/2026

Conemaugh Valley Volleyball Teal Out game tonight! 🏐🩵