Eye Opener On Ovarian Cancer

want2beamommy · 05-10-2008, 02:07 AM

i recieved this today from one of my good friends i am hoping to help anyone that might have these symptoms

SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER

(Even In The Absence Of Ovaries)

An Eye-Opener On Ovarian Cancer

THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END

I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you can. Send this to the women in your life that you care about.

Years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was treated for everything under the sun until it was too late. This blood test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.

Kathy's Story: this is the story of Kathy West

As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian Cancer.

Both types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the 'tumor marker' CA-125 BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgery to remove the primary tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin.

Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save others from the same fate . That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will print it and give it or send it via E-mail to everybody you know.

One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL responsibility for our own health care. I thought I had done that because I always had an annual physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the dentist at least twice a year, etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy and a bone density test last year When I had a total hysterectomy in 1993, I thought that I did not have to worry about getting any of the female reproductive organ cancers.

LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don't have ovaries (and they were HEALTHY when they were removed), but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer. Strange, isn't it?

These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never tell us: ONE out of every 55 women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER.

The 'CLASSIC' symptoms are an ABDOMEN that rather SUDDENLY ENLARGES and CONSTIPATION and/or DIARRHEA .

I had these classic symptoms and went to the doctor. Because these symptoms seemed to be 'abdominal', I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran tests that were designed to determine whether there was a bacteria infection; these tests were negative, and I was diagnosed with 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome'. I guess I would have accepted this diagnosis had it not been for my enlarged abdomen. I swear to you, it looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant! I therefore insisted on more tests

They took an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was again assured that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my scheduled month-long trip to Europe . I couldn't wear any of my slacks or shorts because I couldn't get them buttoned, and I KNEW something was radically wrong. I INSISTED on more tests, and they reluctantly) scheduled me for a CT-Scan (just to shut me up, I think). This is what I mean by 'taking charge of our own health care.'

The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal). Needless to say, I had to cancel my trip and have FIVE POUNDS of fluid drawn off at the hospital (not a pleasant experience I assure you), but NOTHING compared to what was ahead of me.

Tests revealed cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, finally, finally, the doctor ran a CA-125 blood test, a nd I was properly diagnosed.

I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR OVARIAN CANCER, AND YET THIS SIMPLE CA-125 BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER BEEN RUN ON ME, not as part of my annual physical exam and not when I was symptomatic. This is an inexpensive and simple blood test!

PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS.

Be fore warned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it, saying, 'IT ISN'T NECESSARY.' Believe me, had I known then what I know now, we would have caught my cancer much earlier (before it was a stage 3 cancer). Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST; DO NOT take 'NO' for an answer!

The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35. MINE WAS 754. (That's right, 754!). If the number is slightly above 35, you can have anothe r done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just as women do when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly elevated PSA test (Prostatic Specific Antigens) that helps diagnose prostate cancer.

Having the CA-125 test done annually can alert you early, and that's the goal in diagnosing any type of cancer - catching it early.

Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this VERY AGGRESSIVE cancer. Please, go to your doctor and insist on a CA-125 test and have one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life.

And forward this message to every woman you know, and tell all of your female family members and friends. Though the median age for this cancer is 56, (and, guess what, I'm exactly 56, women as young as 22 have it. Age is no factor.

A NOTE FROM THE RN:

Well , after reading this, I made some calls. I found that the CA-125 test is an ovarian screening test equivalent to a man's PSA test prostate screen (which my husband's doctor automatically gives him in his physical each year and insurance pays for it). I called the general practitioner's office about having the test done. The nurse had never heard of it. She told me that she doubted that insurance would pay for it. So I called Prudential Insurance Co, and got the same response. Never heard of it - it won't be covered. I explained that it was the same as the PSA test they had paid for my husband for years. After conferring with whomever they confer with, she told me that the CA-125 would be covered.

It is $75 in a GP's office and $125 at the GYN's. This is a screening test that should be required just like a PAP smear (a PAP smear cannot detect problems with your ovaries). And you must insist that your insurance company pay for it.&nbs p;

Gene Wilder and Pierce Brosnan (his wife had it, too) are lobbying for women's health issues, saying that this test should be required in our physicals, just like the PAP and the mammogram.

SunsetMuse · 05-11-2008, 03:09 AM

I just wanted to thank you for posting this. I am going to talk to this with my dr when I go in a couple of months!

A good read!

mesha · 05-11-2008, 03:26 AM

i will pass it on

Jenn-Loves-Chris · 05-11-2008, 11:39 AM

My grandmother died of this cancer and it was a horrible death for her, she really suffered. She too went to stomach doctors and even a urologist when her belly bloated up so big that she was leaking urine.They did tons of tests and procedures, but never the CA-125. She had an xray done that missed capturing the tumor by less than half an inch. Had that xray film been centered a HALF INCH lower, they would have seen the tumor. By the time they did the CA-125, she was so advanced there was nothing that could be done but comfort measures. She had had a hysterectomy after her last childbirth nearly forty years before her symptoms started. I am nervous for both my mother, aunt and myself as I do not know the genetic factor.

abby_82 · 05-12-2008, 12:37 AM

So this article/ story has really made me think I and today I sat down with one of my very best friends who is like a mother to me. She is 52 turning 53 this july and suffered a very severe ovarian cancer before we met, I beieve it was in 95. I know that she had the surgery full removal, did chemo and radiation and so far she had been doing good. Over the last I would say 6 months she has been telling me that something isn't right. She was diagnosed with IBS and has meds for it but they don't seem to work and she has acid reflux (sp) she takes nexium for it daily. What scares me is that she hasn't been feeling well and she had a colonoscopy about 4 weeks ago and she hasn't been back to the doctor and when we talked today she was telling me that it wouldn't suprise her if the cancer was coming back just because it is feeling the same. I don't want to be her mom and telling her what to do but I want her to get checked out. I know she is supposed to have her CA125 done in July and she hasn't even made the appointment yet and doesn't even know if her doctor is still in practice. Thanks for listening I just needed to vent a little because i am worried about her. Does anyone have any advice on how I can talk with her about how she needs to get checked?

Jenn-Loves-Chris · 05-12-2008, 08:44 AM

Maybe you can insist that she goes and offer to go with her? I know she is dreading it, but she needs to get the evaluation over with asap!

My granny said the pain was like her colon cancer pain (she beat that!) but once they looked at her colon and it was clear they dismissed that symptom. No one knows your body and its pains like you do. Listen to what its telling you.

magiccitymama · 05-12-2008, 12:01 PM

Thanks for the article. It really angers me that it's a common test for a man's annual exam but not for a woman.

Bianca · 05-12-2008, 04:57 PM

There are so many double standards in life....I'll never understand it. Thanks for posting this very informative article!

Sweetface · 05-26-2008, 08:59 PM

Before initial treatment with Met I was having severe cramping any time of the month there, to the point of making me want to vomit and I was constipated. I begged my endo to test me for CA125 and it eased my emotions, you have no idea. test results were very low, so there is no cancer, but waiting on the results was scary. It's a very quiet cancer and usually it's too late when you find out. And the symptons go misdiagnosed, so I had to get peace of mind, I asked several times for that test. I see no reason not to request it yearly.