MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month during its public meeting this week, welcoming health care professionals from Atlantic Health for a presentation on the disease and the importance of public awareness, research and continued advances in detection and treatment.
Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw presented the proclamation to representatives of Atlantic Health following a presentation led by Dr. Daniel Tobias, director of Gynecologic Oncology and the Women’s Cancer Center at Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center. Lydia Nadeau, executive director of Cancer Care at Atlantic Health, and Matthew Marinello, manager of Government and Public Affairs for Atlantic Health, also took part in the presentation.
“Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to learn more about this disease and the importance of awareness and education,” said Director Shaw. “We appreciate Dr. Tobias and Ms. Nadeau for joining us and sharing information that can help residents better understand ovarian cancer and the importance of speaking with their health care providers when something does not seem right.”
Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 21,010 women nationwide will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, and 12,450 will die from the disease, including an estimated 650 new cases and 340 deaths in New Jersey.
One of the greatest challenges is that there is no reliable routine screening test for ovarian cancer, and many women are diagnosed after the disease has reached a more advanced stage. Early-stage ovarian cancer has a significantly higher survival rate, making awareness and recognition of potential warning signs particularly important.
“Recognizing the warning signs is the key, and that’s part of the purpose of this month, to just raise awareness, so people are aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and finding it in its early stages,” said Dr. Tobias.
The presentation identified symptoms that may warrant medical attention when they are new, persistent or frequent, including abdominal bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary urgency or frequency. Because these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, residents were encouraged to discuss persistent changes with their health care providers.
Dr. Tobias also discussed advances in treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and clinical trials that continue to provide patients with access to new and innovative treatments.
“Chemotherapy is generally very effective,” Dr. Tobias said. “We’re able to extend their life significantly. When we say significantly, we’re talking about five-year, 10-year survival even after they’ve been diagnosed.”
Atlantic Health currently has approximately 170 clinical trials open across its system, including ovarian cancer research and a screening study examining whether blood testing and complementary biomarkers can help identify the disease at an earlier stage.
The long-running screening trial, conducted in collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is enrolling eligible women ages 50 to 74 and is intended to help researchers determine whether a combination of testing methods can improve early detection. Atlantic Health continues to enroll participants in the study.
Nadeau also highlighted the depth of cancer care and research available through Atlantic Health, including the role of multidisciplinary teams and clinical trials in providing patients with access to emerging treatments.
“Our goal is to provide access to new and novel treatments. One of the ways we accomplish this is through our clinical trials program,” Nadeau said.
For Dr. Tobias, the value of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month extends beyond education and recognition.
“September’s really about raising awareness, which then leads to people being more active, and helping to raise more funding to support research in finding a reliable screening test,” Dr. Tobias said. “Ovarian cancer doesn’t always get as much press as breast cancer and some of the other cancers.”
The county proclamation encourages residents to promote awareness efforts by wearing teal, the official color of ovarian cancer awareness, to learn about the disease and its symptoms, and to support families affected by ovarian cancer.
The county’s recognition also provided an opportunity to remember former Morris County Freeholder Patricia J. Maynard, who died in 2017 following a nine-year battle with ovarian cancer. Maynard, who served two terms on the board from 1978 through 1984, continued her public service afterward, serving for 12 years as Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Legislative Liaison until 1996. She was also involved with many other organizations, including the Morris County September 11 Memorial Committee and Morris County Library Foundation, and served as a trustee of the Morris Museum, Ralston Cider Mill, County College of Morris Foundation and New Jersey United States Olympic Committee.
