Organization Aims To Raise Awareness About Ovarian Cancer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Symptoms of ovarian cancer are often hard to detect which means the disease usually isn't diagnosed before it's too late.

That's why an organization called the Varadi Ovarian Initiative for Cancer Education, or VOICE, is working to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and early detection.

The organization is named for Dr. Marilyn Varadi, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010.

"The VOICE program is really trying to make a difference," Dr. David Fishman, who treated Varadi, told WCBS 880. "They are very committed to trying to find tools to achieve early detection, to achieve awareness and education."

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Entire Interview With Dr. Fishman

Fishman is the director of the National Ovarian Cancer Early Detection program at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He says ovarian cancer tends to be more aggressive than other types of cancer.

"By the time most women are diagnosed, it's already advanced stage cancer and survival is very poor," he said.

VOICE is holding a fundraising dinner-dance Wednesday at the Engineers Country Club in Roslyn starting at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.voiceforlife.org.