MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed September 2026 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month during its public meeting this week, highlighting the importance of awareness, research and advances in detecting and treating the disease.
Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw presented a proclamation to representatives of Atlantic Health following a presentation led by Dr. Daniel Tobias, director of Gynecologic Oncology and the Women’s Cancer Center at Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center. Lydia Nadeau, executive director of Cancer Care at Atlantic Health, and Matthew Marinello, manager of Government and Public Affairs for Atlantic Health, also participated.
“Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to learn more about this disease and the importance of awareness and education,” said Director Shaw. “We appreciate Dr. Tobias and Ms. Nadeau for joining us and sharing information that can help residents better understand ovarian cancer and the importance of speaking with their health care providers when something does not seem right.”
Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. The American Cancer Society estimates about 21,010 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer nationwide in 2026 and 12,450 will die from the disease. In New Jersey, an estimated 650 new cases and 340 deaths are expected.
One challenge is the lack of a reliable routine screening test for ovarian cancer, with many women diagnosed after the disease has reached a more advanced stage. Early-stage ovarian cancer has a significantly higher survival rate, making awareness of potential warning signs important.
“Recognizing the warning signs is the key, and that’s part of the purpose of this month — to just raise awareness, so people are aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and finding it in its early stages,” said Dr. Tobias.
Symptoms that may warrant medical attention when they are new, persistent or frequent include abdominal bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary urgency or frequency. Because those symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, residents were encouraged to discuss persistent changes with their health care providers.
Tobias also discussed advances in treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and clinical trials.
“Chemotherapy is generally very effective,” Dr. Tobias said. “We’re able to extend their life significantly. When we say significantly, we’re talking about five-year, 10-year survival even after they’ve been diagnosed.”
Atlantic Health currently has approximately 170 clinical trials open across its system, including ovarian cancer research and a screening study examining whether blood testing and complementary biomarkers can help identify the disease at an earlier stage.
The screening trial, conducted in collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is enrolling eligible women ages 50 to 74.
“Our goal is to provide access to new and novel treatments. One of the ways we accomplish this is through our clinical trials program,” Nadeau said.
“September’s really about raising awareness, which then leads to people being more active, and helping to raise more funding to support research in finding a reliable screening test,” Dr. Tobias said. “Ovarian cancer doesn’t always get as much press as breast cancer and some of the other cancers.”
The county proclamation encourages residents to wear teal, the official color of ovarian cancer awareness, learn about the disease and its symptoms, and support families affected by ovarian cancer.
The recognition also remembered former Morris County Freeholder Patricia J. Maynard, who died in 2017 following a nine-year battle with ovarian cancer. Maynard served two terms on the county board from 1978 through 1984 and later served for 12 years as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey legislative liaison.
