Newsletter February – March 2012

Award Presentation:

The Central Florida Humanitarian Award was presented to Constance M. Van Asdale, President, Space Coast Ovarian/Gynecologic Cancer Alliance  on November 2011, by Space Coast Medicine Magazine.

“In recognition and honored for the compelling contributions that you have made to the well being of our community . Your selfless work has not gone unnoticed and you will be recognized as a Central Florida Humanitarian at the Central Florida HumanitarianAwards Gala, on Thursday, November 10, 2011.”

Upcoming Events:

Lunch Bunch

Saturday, February 11, 2012 – 11:30 AMSalt and Sweet Polish Restaurant 3092 Lake Washington Road  Melbourne, FL

Delicious food with good company! RSVP please!  connie@tealribboncfl.com

Support Group Meeting

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 – 5 to 7 PM

MIMA Cancer Center 1130 Hickory Street, Melbourne, 32901

Program – “Body, Mind and Spirit” Thomas H. Bailey, Jr.  DOM, AP, LMT, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, Physician Licensed Massage Therapist, will give us insight into alternative therapies and how we might benefit from these ancient practices.  He will lead us in some gentle exercise to improve our physical well being and simple breathing techniques to bring us to a calm and peaceful place.

Lunch Bunch

Saturday, March 10, 2012 – 11:30 AM Meg O’Malley’s 812 E New Haven Ave, Melbourne, FL

Our traditional March Lunch Bunch for St. Patrick’s Day fun! Wear your green and be Irish for a day while enjoying their delicious Iris Pub fare. It is always a good time at Megs! RSVP Please!  connie@tealribboncfl.com

Support Group Meeting

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 – 5 to 7 PM Location to be announced

Program – “Genetic testing -   Is this Right for you?” Mutations or variations in genes raise the risk of cancer. Knowing if your family is at risk allows them to take action against hereditary cancer and take steps to significantly reduce their risk. If your family has a history of the disease, genetic tests can identify the genetic variations that are the most common causes of inherited cancers. There are also tests to help identify if you are at increased risk for certain side effects from chemotherapy.

New Florida Law Educates about Gynecologic Cancer
Our Florida Coalition of Ovarian/Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Groups “FOCAS” lends their support.

Governor Rick Scott recently signed legislation in support of widespread access to educational materials about gynecologic cancers for women and girls in Florida.

The Kelly Smith Gynecologic and Ovarian Cancer Education and Awareness Act of 2011, ensures that the Florida Department of Health will raise the awareness of gynecologic cancers in the state with educational information and public service announcements. Gynecologic Cancer Survivors will be represented for the first time since The Act requires that an advocate be appointed to represent gynecologic cancers on the Florida State Cancer Council, giving a voice to those who fight these deadly diseases.

Kelly Smith, the Act’s namesake, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 17 and has endured numerous surgeries and chemotherapy treatments over the last 14 years. She has been an advocate for gynecologic health ever since.  She is the founder of North FL Ovarian Cancer Alliance and a member of  Florida Ovarian Cancer Alliance Speaks “FOCAS”.  Last August,  FOCAS met and pledged their support to Kelly, as she began the process of enlisting the expertise and aide required to present legislation to the FL House and Senate.

Representative Scott Plakon (R-Longwood) and Senator Ronda Storms (R-Valrico) sponsored the legislation. Representative Plakon stated, “Its passage will bring much needed education and awareness regarding this terrible, silent killer. Kelly’s heroic efforts, as an ovarian cancer survivor who has fully committed her life to this cause, will forever be remembered by this important Act.”

“These diseases strike women of all ages,” said Smith, “and only education and awareness can arm women to know the symptoms that can lead to early diagnosis. Too many women are diagnosed in late stages when the cancer has spread to other organs, leading to death in an average of less than five years.” The symptoms of gynecologic cancers can be subtle and include such symptoms as bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly or urinary symptoms. Most women do not know that a pap smear will not diagnose forms of gynecologic cancers, making the education Act even more critical.

The women of FL can be proud and the Space Coast Ovarian/Gynecologic Cancer Alliance is especially grateful for the persistence of Kelly Smith and Bonnie Donihi, Ex. Director of Ovarian Cancer Alliance of FL and founder of FOCAS.  This was their project and they worked diligently and saw it to its remarkable end.   They kept us informed and enlisted the FOCAS members assistance whenever it was needed, to rally our members to prod our local legislators toward positive action.   If you answered one of these email requests, be proud of the part you played in enacting this life saving, landmark legislation.


Cancer Diet and Nutrition Manual

http://www.healthcastle.com/cancerdiet.shtml

“What Every Woman with Ovarian Cancer Should Know”

Ovarian cancer may be hereditary. One out of every eight women with ovarian cancer carries a hereditary mutation.
Now that we are in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we should educate ourselves regarding Ovarian/Breast Cancer Facts and understand the possible hereditary relationship of Breast Cancer with Ovarian Cancer.
The following information is taken from FORCE – Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered. FORCE is a Partner Member of Florida Ovarian Cancer Alliance Speaks, and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.  Part of FORCE’s mission is to educate women with hereditary factors.  “Confronting your personal cancer risk can be confusing and frustrating. If you’re high-risk and trying to make risk-management decisions, you need as much support as possible. It helps to speak with other women in the FORCE community who have faced these risks.”  You may reach them through FORCE’s website www.facingourrisk.com

Hereditary ovarian cancer prognosis and treatment
Studies have shown that ovarian cancer survivors with BRCA 1 mutations generally have a better survival rate than women with sporadic ovarian cancer. There is some speculation that this may be due to a higher sensitivity of BRCA 1-associated ovarian cancers to the chemotherapy drugs called platinums which are typically used for ovarian cancer treatment.

As new research continues, treatments that specifically target hereditary cancers may become available. Some studies have suggested that BRCA-associated cancers may respond more favorably to certain chemotherapies.

A new class of medications called “PARP Inhibitors” may specifically kill hereditary cancer cells caused by a BRCA mutation and spare healthy cells. Currently there are research studies looking at PARP Inhibitors for hereditary breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other types of cancer. Preliminary studies on PARP Inhibitors for these cancers have been promising.

You can find open PARP Inhibitor studies on clinicaltrials.gov : type in the cancer you are searching for and “PARP inhibitors” in the search query.

Ovarian cancer survivors with a BRCA mutation or hereditary cancer have a higher likelihood than women with sporadic cancer of developing breast cancer. Options for risk management of breast cancer in ovarian cancer survivors are similar to option for cancer Previvors.  Cancer “Previvors” are individuals who are survivors of a predisposition to cancer but who haven’t had the disease.

If there is a family history of ovarian, fallopian tube, breast, or pancreatic cancer, there is the possibility of a hereditary mutation in the genes called BRCA1 or BRCA2.  Families with ovarian, uterine, or colon cancer may have mutations in the MLH1, MSH2, or MSH6 genes, which are associated with Hereditary “Non polyposis Colorectal Cancer” (HNPCC)

For more information on hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer; www.facingourrisk.com

2011 Sister Run Finish

The 2011 Sister Run has crossed the Finish Line as another great success!  It was a special day for all who participated.  We thank our Survivor Volunteers for sharing their many talents – photography, organization, set-up, clean-up, music, and even running and winning a trophy!  You are special.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who make the day possible with their contributions.
Thank you!  To the 13th Annual Sister Run Sponsors:

SUSTAINING TEAL RIBBON SPONSOR
The Andre Family Foundation
Bright House
David A. Van Asdale II, Registered Investment Advisor

TEAL RIBBON SPONSOR
The Harrington Family
Memories of Margo Powell – 9/6/2010
John J. Bomalaski, MD
Beach Organics

PLATINUM SPONSOR
Gatorland
Chick-fil-a

SILVER SPONSOR
Pizza Gallery
Meg O Malley’s
Shein &Wente LLC, CPA’s
Webster Insurance Agency
Deborah and Gordon Hall

BRONZE SPONSOR
The Produce Place, Suntree -Krispy Kreme -Tropical Smoothie, Suntree
Pepsi Bottling Group – Waterman Real Estate – Jay’s Air and Heat – C & J Feed Store
Dr. Mark Stewart – North American Title Co. – Haley’s Boat and Jet Ski Rental
Aqua-Rite Pools& More – Richard “Ice Man” Taylor