Every September, teal ribbons start showing up more often. Maybe you notice them in school, on social media, or at local events. They stand for ovarian cancer, a disease that doesn’t usually get much attention during the rest of the year. That’s the point of awareness months — to bring something out of the background and give it a chance to be seen. Ovarian cancer month is one of those times, and it has its own story about how it started and why it still matters today.
Where it began
The idea of setting time aside for ovarian cancer awareness didn’t start with a whole month. In the late 1990s, health groups and advocates pushed for a single week in September to be dedicated to it. Back then, ovarian cancer was often called a “silent disease” because the symptoms weren’t obvious and people didn’t talk about them. Families were losing loved ones without ever having heard much about the condition beforehand. That silence was the problem.
The awareness week was an experiment, a chance to see if highlighting the issue for a short time would make people pay attention. It worked, but it wasn’t enough. A week came and went too quickly, so the effort grew. By the early 2000s, September was officially marked as ovarian cancer awareness month, and each year since then, more communities and countries have joined in. Having a month made sense — it gave people time to learn, share, and repeat the message until it stuck.
Why September
You might wonder why September was chosen instead of any other month. There’s no single dramatic reason, but health campaigns often look for a clear spot on the calendar that isn’t already crowded with other events. September worked because it’s a month where schools are back in session, routines restart after summer, and people are paying attention again. That timing gave awareness campaigns more reach. Over time, teal and September became linked in people’s minds. Now, when September rolls around, people expect to hear about ovarian cancer, and that’s exactly the goal.
What a month does that a day can’t
One of the most powerful things about a full month is repetition. Awareness doesn’t happen in one big splash. It happens in small, steady reminders. A teacher might mention it during a health lesson. A local team could dedicate a match to raising awareness. A family might talk about it over dinner after seeing a news story. Those little moments, spread out over weeks, add up.
When awareness lasts a whole month, it also gives space for different groups to line up their efforts. Schools, charities, doctors, and community leaders can plan events together instead of crowding into a single day. The result is more people hearing the same key points in more places. It feels natural, not forced, and that’s what makes people remember it.
Making space for rare types
Ovarian cancer is not one single disease. There are different types, and some are rare. One of those rare types is called low-grade serous ovarian cancer, or LGSOC. It usually affects younger women, it grows more slowly, and it often doesn’t respond to the treatments that work on other ovarian cancers. Because it’s uncommon, it doesn’t always get the same attention. That’s why, inside the month, there are now specific days to highlight it.
Having low-grade serous ovarian cancer recognized with its own awareness day makes a difference. It shows women with this diagnosis that they are not forgotten, and it also nudges researchers and doctors to keep working on better treatments. Without that day, it might get lost in the bigger picture. With it, LGSOC gets a voice, and that matters just as much as the broader month.
Why it still matters today
It’s fair to ask if awareness months still matter after so many years. The answer is yes, especially for conditions that don’t get a lot of attention the rest of the time. Ovarian cancer is still often diagnosed late, and it still doesn’t have a standard screening test for everyone. Without a push, it would fade back into the background. The month keeps it visible.
Awareness also changes how people think about their own health. Even a simple reminder in September can make someone more likely to notice if something feels off later on. They might not act right away, but the idea has been planted. And when they need it, that memory of hearing about ovarian cancer month could be the thing that makes them book a doctor’s appointment instead of waiting.
The ripple effect of awareness
Awareness doesn’t stop at personal health. It affects research and policy too. When a topic gets consistent attention, funding is more likely to follow. Doctors and scientists notice the focus, and governments are reminded that people care about this issue. That’s how awareness months can lead to better testing methods, new treatments, and stronger support systems. It doesn’t happen overnight, but the steady pressure makes a difference over time.
Why community matters
Another reason the month still matters is the sense of community it builds. For women living with ovarian cancer, awareness month is a sign that their struggle isn’t invisible. For families who’ve lost someone, it’s a chance to see that their loved one’s story is part of something larger. And for young people, it’s an early lesson that paying attention to health issues is important, even if they feel distant right now.
These connections are what keep the month alive year after year. It’s not just about teal ribbons or social media posts. It’s about people seeing each other, remembering each other, and learning together.
Carrying it forward
One of the challenges with awareness months is making sure the lessons don’t fade when the calendar flips. That’s why September is both a starting point and a reminder. It sparks conversations, teaches facts, and encourages action. The goal is for those habits — noticing symptoms, sharing information, checking in on friends — to last long after the month ends.
Ovarian cancer month began as a way to break the silence around a disease that was too often ignored. It grew because families, communities, and advocates refused to let it stay in the shadows. And it still matters now because it continues to save time, save energy, and sometimes even save lives.
