Talking Ovarian Cancer Project (TOCP)
About the TOCP
The Talking Ovarian Cancer Project (TOCP) purpose is to communicate ovarian cancer signs and symptoms to educate women and their healthcare providers on how to detect the disease in early stages when it is easier to treat and survive. The TOCP is a pilot program launched in the Southern Seven Health Department counties to document an evidence-based process and best practice to enable further expansion through the state. Current TOCP partners include Southern Seven Health Department, Community Health and Emergency Services Inc (CHESI), Rural Health Inc., Hope Light Foundation, Hardin County General Hospital, Union County Hospital, Massac Memorial Hospital, American Cancer Society and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC).
Following the pilot, the TOCP is planned to be offered state-wide by working through the Illinois Department of Public Health and various local health departments, Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), hospital systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), cancer organizations, professional organziations, faith-based organizations, local governments, businesses, colleges and universities and other stakeholders with an interest in fighting ovarian cancer.
The Talking Ovarian Cancer Project (TOCP) purpose is to communicate ovarian cancer signs and symptoms to educate women and their healthcare providers on how to detect the disease in early stages when it is easier to treat and survive. The TOCP is a pilot program launched in the Southern Seven Health Department counties to document an evidence-based process and best practice to enable further expansion through the state. Current TOCP partners include Southern Seven Health Department, Community Health and Emergency Services Inc (CHESI), Rural Health Inc., Hope Light Foundation, Hardin County General Hospital, Union County Hospital, Massac Memorial Hospital, American Cancer Society and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC).
Following the pilot, the TOCP is planned to be offered state-wide by working through the Illinois Department of Public Health and various local health departments, Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), hospital systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), cancer organizations, professional organziations, faith-based organizations, local governments, businesses, colleges and universities and other stakeholders with an interest in fighting ovarian cancer.
TOCP Best Practice
Results of the 12 month TOCP pilot program ending on 15 November 2022 was documented in a Best Practice dated 19 December 2022. Click here to view or download a copy.
Results of the 12 month TOCP pilot program ending on 15 November 2022 was documented in a Best Practice dated 19 December 2022. Click here to view or download a copy.
About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a disease in which, cancer cells are found inside, near, or on the outer layer of the ovaries. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths each year than any other gynecologic cancer and can occur in women at any age. It often has no symptoms or has symptoms that mock gastrointestinal or other non-cancerous disorders. There are no reliable screening tests for ovarian cancer and only 15% of women are diagnosed with this cancer in its early stages. Women diagnosed at an early stage before the cancer has spread have a much higher five-year survival rate than those diagnosed at a later stage.
Ovarian cancer often has no symptoms in early stages. When early warning signs do exist, they are easy to overlook due to their being similar to other common illnesses or they tend to come and go. The early symptoms include:
- abdominal bloating, pressure, and pain
- abnormal fullness after eating
- difficulty eating
- an increase in urination
- an increased urge to urinate
A Pap Test does not detect ovarian cancer. If you suspect the presence of ovarian cancer, contact a gynecologic oncologist. Click here to find a gynecologic oncologist nearest you.
Fore more information on ovarian cancer, see the following websites:
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
Foundation for Women’s Cancer
St Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Ovarian Cancer Resources
The TOCP welcomes your printing/copying the following materials for use in communicating ovarian cancer awareness via print and/or social media. Your help in this matter will help women to become more knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms of this deadly cancer that otherwise may not be detected/diagnosed until in late stages where it is more difficult to treat and survive.
|
