a snapshot of my teal Tweets

Who knew a color could be so significant? This week, I found myself giving teal shout-outs on Facebook and updating my Twitter status with all sorts of teal references. I even got my nails painted “teal the cows come home” blue.

Never before has a singular shade figured this prominently in my life, but I guess that makes sense. Teal is the official ovarian cancer color, which really didn’t mean much to me until last year. My how things have changed. Now, it’s the holiest hue around.

This month, teal is especially important. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a time when survivors and our advocates unite to educate people about the disease.

Recognizing the symptoms is undoubtedly the most important factor.  Ovarian cancer was once thought to be asymptomatic, but it turns out that most women experience bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating, or feeling full quickly. The catch, though, is that by the time a woman recognizes the symptoms, the disease has likely spread or reached its later stages.

To date, there is no definitive screening test. And the five-year survival rate, a paltry 47 percent, has not changed much over the last 40 years. But if caught early, it increases to about 90 percent. Clearly, detection is critical. So is knowing your family history.

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition have been dedicated to getting the word out. More recently, L’Oreal launched its Color of Hope campaign to promote awareness.

My own calendar is filling up quickly with color-themed events. I’m kicking it off next week at the T.E.A.L. Walk in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, and I’m proud to say that I’m walking as part of Team Slayer. Afterward, we’re all heading to my place for a round of tealtinis, my new favorite drink.