Turning Warwick teal

WARWICK — Local ovarian cancer survivor Kathy Colquhoun and 23 Horizon Family Medical Group/Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine students “turned the town teal” on Thursday, Aug. 31, to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
The group tied teal ribbons to trees and telephone poles along Main Street in the village. They also talked with shop owners and distributed educational materials on the disease.
“Despite raising awareness and improving treatment strategies, we still don’t have a screening tool for ovarian cancer," said Dr. Alex Joanow in a press release detailing the effort. "It is a disease process that has many vague signs and symptoms, such as bloating and pelvic pain, that are often overlooked. Therefore, the best screening technique is to see your gynecologist on an annual basis or when these symptoms develop.”
Joanow, a Horizon obstetrician and gynecologist, is a founding partner of the medical group. He is also director of Clinical Rotations and clinical assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Touro.
Joanow oversees the clinical sites – including Horizon Family Medical Group – where third-year Touro students receive their training.
“We are thrilled to be participating in this event for the second year," said Jim Olver, MHA, Horizon Chief Executive Officer. "Horizon wants to do all it can to help our patients prevent ovarian cancer through awareness and regular gynecological check-ups.”
When Horizon and Touro officials approached Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard to host the event again, he was enthusiastic.
“Our Main Street is the crossroad to our community and is highly visible to all who visit," the mayor said. "To adorn our street trees with bright teal ribbons is a way of not only creating awareness but showing support to a cause. By showing that the entire community is supportive sends a strong and important message."
Turn The Towns Teal is a national campaign to promote awareness of ovarian cancer, its subtle symptoms and risk factors. During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September, volunteers call attention to this disease by tying biodegradable, USA-made ribbons in various locations like town centers, businesses, places of worship, neighborhoods and on their individual properties, according to the campaign’s website.