CIGNA Joins Ovarian Cancer National Alliance to Help Ensure Women Know Symptoms of Deadly Gynecologic Cancer

CIGNA Joins Ovarian Cancer National Alliance to Help Ensure Women
Know Symptoms of Deadly Gynecologic Cancer 


BLOOMFIELD, Conn., Sept. 1, 2004  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- This year, more
than 25,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 16,000 will die of
the disease.  It is the deadliest gynecologic cancer and often goes undiagnosed
until an advanced stage.(1)

As part of Ovarian Cancer Aware Month, CIGNA joins the Ovarian Cancer National
Alliance (OCNA) in its efforts to help reverse these startling statistics and
raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.  OCNA is a consumer-led
organization uniting ovarian cancer survivors, women's health activists and
healthcare professionals to focus national attention on ovarian cancer.

"As a company that provides health benefits coverage to millions of women and
has a predominantly female workforce, this is an issue that hits home for
CIGNA," said Dr. Andrea Gelzer, Vice President, Clinical Affairs.  "We are
concerned many women are missing the subtle signs of ovarian cancer, and hope
that by making it more top-of-mind for women and physicians, more women will
receive proper medical attention sooner," said Gelzer.

CIGNA is a sponsor of OCNA's Training for Education and Awareness Leadership
(TEAL) initiative, which provides training to state ovarian cancer advocacy
groups on how to advance awareness outreach for women and medical professionals
in their community.  This year, OCNA completed a session in San Diego and will
train organizations in Chicago and Phoenix.  CIGNA will also make information
about the symptoms of ovarian cancer available to its employees, through the
company's intranet portal.

Finding cancer early significantly improves the chances that it will be
successfully treated.  About 30 percent of ovarian cancers are found in early
stages.  When treated early, nine of 10 women will survive five years or more.
However, 70 percent of women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not find
out they have the disease until it is in an advanced stage.  At that point, the
chance of five-year survival is only about 25 percent.

"There is no screening tool for ovarian cancer akin to the Pap test for
cervical cancer or the mammogram for breast cancer, so our philosophy is `until
there's a test, AWARENESS is best,'" said Ann Kolker, Executive Director, OCNA.
 "With so little national attention being given to ovarian cancer, we hope that
more organizations and companies like CIGNA respond to the urgent need for
public education so we can help save and prolong women's lives," she added.

Know the Symptoms

According to OCNA, symptoms tend to be non-specific and can mimic
non-gynecologic conditions.  They could include:

    -- Abdominal pressure, bloating or discomfort
    -- Nausea, indigestion or gas
    -- Urinary frequency, constipation or diarrhea
    -- Abnormal bleeding
    -- Unusual fatigue
    -- Unexplained weight gain or loss
    -- Shortness of breath



While these symptoms are not necessarily gynecologic in nature, recent research
shows that women with ovarian cancer report increased severity of these types
of symptoms prior to diagnosis.

"Many people experience these symptoms from time to time, so women should not
be alarmed," said Kolker.  "However, if they persist and are unusual for you,
then seek a professional opinion," she adds.

As a Business of Caring, CIGNA provides employers with benefits, expertise and
services that improve the health, well-being and productivity of their
employees.  Serving millions of customers, clients and members in the United
States and around the globe, CIGNA's operating subsidiaries offer a full
portfolio of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care
benefits and group life, accident and disability insurance.  CIGNA's
international operations also offer health care coverages for expatriate
employees.

For more information: http://www.cigna.com/

(1) Source: Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. 

DATASOURCE: CIGNA Corporation



Contact:  Patricia Caballero, CIGNA, [phone],





Web site:  http://www.cigna.com/ 



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