Madison Mayor Troy Trulock presents a proclamation for September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to the Lilies of the Valley organization. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – The Lilies of the Valley non-profit organization hopes to educate residents about the deadly disease of ovarian cancer.

Madison Mayor Troy Trulock is endorsing the group’s efforts by signing a proclamation that sets September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Lilies of the Valley members offer support to women with ovarian cancer who live in Huntsville, North Alabama and Tennessee Valley region. “We also work throughout the year to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, which has been called ‘the silent cancer’ because the symptoms are oftentimes subtle and misdiagnosed,” executive director Regina Parker said.

“We educate the public and medical community through our Teal Talks program, regional health fairs, special events, partnerships with local organizations and through the one-on-one efforts of our members and volunteers,” Parker said.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, urinary conditions like urgency or changes in frequency, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly.

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of the gynecologic cancers. Approximately 22,000 women in the United States are diagnosed each year. Approximately 14,000 die each year from the disease, mostly because diagnosis doesn’t occur until the late stages.

“Most women are sent from doctor to doctor until they are finally correctly diagnosed,” Parker said. “That’s why we try so hard to get the word out that the disease does have symptoms. If a woman is having symptoms that are new or persistent, she should get it checked out, preferably by a gynecologist who is familiar with the signs and symptoms of gyn cancers.”

Lilies of the Valley also sponsors exhibits at health fairs and distribute information to make women, physicians and other health care professionals aware of the signs and symptoms.

Lilies of the Valley holds monthly support group meetings on the last Tuesday at Clearview Cancer Institute, 3601 CCI Drive NW, Huntsville. They meet on the second floor in the community room from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Their mailing address is P.O. Box 14066, Huntsville, AL 35815. For more information, call 205-427-8157, email info@liliesofthevalley.org or visit liliesofthevalley.org.