Friday’s Texas State Women’s Soccer Match to Raise Awareness for Ovarian Cancer

SAN MARCOS, Texas – September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and all Sun Belt Conference women’s soccer programs will wear specially designed warm-up jerseys in support of Texas State head coach Kat Conner, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year. The Bobcats have designed Friday’s conference opener against Little Rock as their cancer awareness game. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.

Conner has fought stage three ovarian cancer, undergoing many surgical procedures and seven months of chemotherapy in order to eradicate any remnants of the disease.  Thankfully, she is now in remission.

The Sun Belt Conference women’s soccer programs stand in solidarity to spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer to all women. Ovarian cancer is known as the “silent killer” because symptoms mimic almost identically those of IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Through responsiveness, and spreading the word to others, Conner hopes to educate all women about potential symptoms.

“This past year has been a tough fight against ovarian cancer, and I am deeply grateful for the support from family, friends and colleagues. As part of my fight, I am building a platform for awareness of ovarian cancer.  This particular form of cancer takes the lives of so many women because its symptoms are masked and dismissed as other common illness, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. As a result, diagnoses often are not made until the cancer is well into its advanced stages.  I experienced IBS type symptoms, such as bloating, being unable to finish a meal due to unusual feelings of fullness, and persistent fatigue. I became unable to complete my normal daily workouts and felt compelled to lie down anytime, anywhere, and I did. I am proud of, and thankful to, the Sun Belt Conference, its coaches and student-athletes, for sharing this platform with me,” said Conner.

“It is an honor for the Sun Belt Conference to be part of this wonderful cause. And not only to show support for Coach Conner but to also help educate the public about this terrible disease that affects so many women,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson

One in 75 women will be diagnosed with the disease during her lifetime, so pay attention and speak up as early detection is a vital key in the process. 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2016 and about 15,000 will die from the disease because it was not detected early enough.

Common symptoms can be bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, urinary discomfort, bowel changes, including diarrhea and constipation alternately, fatigue, and eating complications. Risk factors include increasing age, personal or family history of breast, colon or ovarian cancer, or undesired infertility.

The condition is thought to affect post-menopausal women, but has been diagnosed in much younger women. More importantly, ovarian cancer is not necessarily hereditary.

“Together, we will bring attention to the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and urge women everywhere, regardless of age, to be proactive advocates for their health. Ovarian cancer may begin with a few symptoms that seem to be a mere nuisance, but persistent symptoms, layered upon each other, call for a thorough doctor’s examination, sonograms, and blood tests. Our goal is to save the lives of women through awareness, knowledge and support. I want them to know they are not alone and, like me, they can fight and win against ovarian cancer,” added Conner.

Without thorough sonograms, CT scans, blood tests and physical exams, ovarian cancer will go undetected until well into its advanced stages. All women are urged to advocate for their health, and to seek informed medical advice and comprehensive testing should any of the foregoing symptoms be experienced.

Early detection of ovarian cancer saves women’s lives. For more information, please visit http://www.ovariancancer.org.

For the latest on Texas State women’s soccer, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, like on Facebook at Texas State Soccer and follow the team on Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.