How quickly can you answer the following questions: What is the slogan for ovarian cancer awareness? What is the color of the ovarian cancer awareness ribbon? What month is ovarian cancer awareness month? And what are the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer?
If you’re stumped by these questions, don’t be discouraged, as you’re certainly not alone. Ovarian cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, yet many people lack awareness about the disease. September is ovarian cancer awareness month, but anytime is the perfect time to educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and discover how you can get involved in the fight for a cure.
My Story
I have to confess, ovarian cancer awareness was not even on my radar until a few years ago. I became aware of the cause due to a personal experience with the disease, in the form of a “cancer scare.” In the summer of 2004, I was diagnosed with a cyst in my right ovary. The ovarian cyst was discovered when I had an ultrasound for another minor problem; I did not have, nor have I ever had, any pain or other symptoms from the cyst.
The appearance of the cyst (and the fact that it was inside my ovary) led my gynecologist to order tests for further evaluation, to rule out the possibility of ovarian cancer. That began my personal odyssey of “watch and wait,” a nerve wracking process that occurs when doctors can’t quite determine exactly what is going on with the cyst, so they monitor or track it over time to look for changes that might signal ovarian cancer.
I entered a medical gray area of “do I or don’t I?” as I wondered if I might be in the very early stages of ovarian cancer. This “watch and wait” period meant countless transvaginal ultrasounds, pelvic exams to check for signs of a mass, periodic CA 125 tests, and in my case, an MRI of my pelvic region, to keep an eye on what might eventually turn out to be a cancerous (or precancerous) tumor in my ovary.
During this time, I went from being completely uninformed about ovarian cancer to feeling more educated about the whole landscape of the disease. (In this period of self education, I discovered that the slogan for ovarian cancer awareness is: “Ovarian cancer whispers, so listen,” and the color of the ovarian cancer awareness ribbon is teal!)
My doctor seemed quite unconcerned about my prognosis. So I obtained copies of the results of my ultrasounds, went to the library and consulted medical books for information about ovarian cysts. I also scoured the internet, looking for clues that might shed some light on my situation. I found this quite scary and confusing. A cold nameless dread would spread deep through me when I realized that the way my cyst was described on one of the ultrasound reports, sounded very much like the kind which might be cancerous. My head swam with worry as I tried to gain some understanding about my cyst.
Meanwhile, back at the doctor’s office, my gynecologist didn’t seem to be following my case. I became convinced she wasn’t even reading my test results! (This was confirmed during a visit when she seemed to be confused about why I was there to see her? She then quickly scanned my file and mumbled something about my left ovary? My dread escalated to a sense of helplessness and alarm.)
It was very disheartening to go online during this time, and see the number of confused, terrified women in chat rooms and posting on various message boards, desperately searching for answers and reassurance about their own ovarian cysts.
Some were also in a period of “watch and wait;” some were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but unsure how to proceed with treatment; and most disturbing of all, some were experiencing symptoms or had reason to believe they might actually have ovarian cancer, but they were not receiving the proper evaluation and treatment by their physicians.
My experiences led me to become extremely proactive about my own care. I decided to change gynecologists. My doctor was part of a practice that had a legendary reputation in my area for being “the best in town,” yet she was rude to me, disinterested in my feelings and well being, and rough with my body during exams.
She never called me about my test results; once when I tried to follow up, the nurse said the policy was that “no news is good news,” when in fact, they had never even received a copy of my test from the hospital! Even though time is of the essence in keeping track of cancerous changes in ovarian cysts, I sometimes couldn’t get an appointment for months at my very exclusive doctor’s office.
I decided to listen to my gut, and look for a new doctor. I went to my local hospital’s website, and reviewed their list of affiliated gynecologists. I chose one (a new doctor in town) and reviewed her website. I liked what I saw, and called for an appointment. This gynecologist was also a hot property in town, yet she listened to my concerns and had a few moments to consult with me.
By finding a doctor I could trust, the pieces began to fall into place for me. My new gynecologist was part of a holistic practice that believes in treating and honoring the whole person. For the first time, I felt listened to and “in good hands,” so to speak (previously, I felt attacked by my doctor when I asked questions about my care.)
This physician reviewed all of my previous ultrasounds, and based on the results of my MRI and CA 125 tests (and the fact that the cyst was not getting larger and wasn’t causing any problems), in her opinion, she didn’t believe that it looked like a type likely to become cancerous.
After a while, I stopped having the transvaginal sonograms, and now I just get periodic pelvic exams (to look for signs of any growths or abnormalities) and I am given the CA 125 test, a tumor marker that looks at levels of proteins produced by cancerous ovarian cells.
I have developed a relationship with a doctor who is respectful, kind, professional and very knowledgeable about ovarian cancer. I feel grateful to have come through my ordeal with flying colors; however, I don’t ever let down my guard against ovarian cancer. I believe every woman should remain vigilant about this disease, its signs and symptoms, and become proactive about medical care. Here’s some more information about the disease and how you can become proactive about ovarian cancer.
“The Silent Killer”
Many women throw up their hands and say to themselves “there is nothing I can do to help myself; ovarian cancer is the “silent killer,” a symptomless disease with no screening test available.” There is a lot of mystery and misconception about the disease. For example, many women think that their Pap smear will test for ovarian cancer. This is untrue; the Pap test just screens for cancerous changes in cervical cells (it is the visual and manual pelvic exam performed by your doctor that helps detect growths or masses that signal ovarian cancer.)
You are not helpless against this deadly foe, ovarian cancer. While there is no specific screening test for the disease, high risk women (those with a family or personal history of breast, ovarian, endometrial, or colon cancer) and those women who have unusual symptoms can be evaluated in the following ways: a complete manual pelvic and rectal exam; transvaginal ultrasound (an internal sonogram that “maps” the pelvic region), and sometimes the CA 125 test. Remember, when having ultrasound, an abdominal ultrasound is not detailed enough to screen for ovarian cancer; make sure you have a transvaginal ultrasound to evaluate your ovaries and other reproductive organs.
Researchers have discovered that there are early warning signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer which can be subtle signposts of the disease. Listen to your body. Always keep in mind that “ovarian cancer whispers, so listen.” You are the best judge of what is happening inside your own body. Never let anyone tell you that your symptoms, however subtle, are “all in your head.” If something is “off” or just doesn’t feel right, be proactive and knock on every door for answers. If a doctor does tell you that what you are experiencing in your body is all in your mind, then find another doctor: one who listens, takes your concerns seriously and will properly evaluate you.
Your life could be at stake. According to the September 2007 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, (and an interview with Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Director Jamie Boris), over 22,000 women a year will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the United States; the lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1 in 67. Of the roughly 22,000 women diagnosed with the disease, about 15,000 will die from this form of cancer. When detected in the early stages, the five year survival rate for the disease is 95%. The bad news: this is one of the deadliest cancers, and most women won’t be diagnosed until the later stages when survival rates are sharply lower.
Learn the Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
I encourage you to become vigilant about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer (early detection and education are the keys to battling this deadly disease.) Here are some early warning signs:
Abdominal pain: pelvic and/or abdominal swelling or pain
Vague but persistent and unexplained gastrointestinal upsets: nausea, indigestion, gas, bloating, and feeling of fullness
Unexplained Weight Loss or Weight Gain: also can include loss of appetite or feeling full quickly when eating a meal
Persistent and unexplained changes in bowel patterns or bladder habits: such as urgency and/or frequency of urination, constipation or diarrhea
Unusual fatigue and shortness of breath
Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding: that is new, unexplained and considered abnormal
If these signs and symptoms are persistent and unexplained, see your doctor for an evaluation to rule out the presence of ovarian cancer.
What You Can Do
One of the most important things you can do is raise your ovarian cancer awareness, and arm yourself with as much information as you possibly can about the disease.
In my opinion, your first step should be a visit to the website of The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) at ocrf.org. The OCRF is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the development of early diagnostic tools for ovarian cancer, as well as research for a cure. In addition, OCRF is there to provide support for ovarian cancer patients and their loved ones, and strives to increase public awareness about the disease.
OCRF does very important work, and makes a wealth of information available at its website. Don’t forget to check out its resources page, which is full of important links about ovarian and other forms of cancer. Spend some time visiting the “wall of hope and remembrance”; study the “about ovarian cancer” page to learn more about signs and symptoms, risk factors, and prevention and risk reduction; read about research, education and awareness; and discover ways to give back and support the cause.
It is important to keep in mind that while OCRF is working on developing an accurate screening test, at this time we don’t have a diagnostic tool. Financial support for research and education is vital to the fight against ovarian cancer. You can make a donation to OCRF by mail, telephone, or online (at ocrf.org.) The OCRF website lists other ways to donate, such holding your own fundraiser, and planned giving.
Another way to give back is to shop for products that donate a portion of their sales to OCRF. L’Oreal Paris’ Color of Hope (lorealcolorofhope.com) has been involved in the fight for 10 years and has raised $13 million for OCRF. L’Oreal offers beauty products that benefit the cause as well as an exclusive “Color of Hope” sterling silver bracelet; see the OCRF website for other products you can purchase to help raise funds for research. (Other shopping sites to visit: choosehope.com to purchase products with the teal ribbon; and presentsforpurpose.com, where designer Elissa Bloom’s beautiful teal ribbon coin purses raise money for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.)
Another great site to visit is The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) at ovarian.org. The NOCC’s mission is to promote education and awareness of ovarian cancer. Their website is packed with useful information, such as state chapters, a doctor search, clinical trials, legislation, and other resources.
If you believe you might have ovarian cancer, or if you have been newly diagnosed with the disease, it is vital that you ask your doctor or gynecologist for a referral to a specialist. A gynecologic oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of gynecological cancers; seeing a gynecologic oncologist as soon as possible drastically increases your odds of survival (non-gynecologic oncologist surgeons often provide inadequate tumor removal.)
If for some reason you can’t get a referral from a doctor, be proactive and find your own gynecologic oncologist! Visit the websites of The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation at wcn.org or The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists at sgo.org to find a specialist.
Other things you can do:
Wear the teal ribbon or bracelet. Think teal! When someone asks about the ribbon, tell them about the cause. Discuss the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer with everyone you know, and help spread the word about the disease. Urge women who do show early warning signs to consult with their doctor or seek the advice of a specialist.
In order to be proactive, it is important for women to know their family history of cancer (I also find it helpful to retain copies of all my test results for my personal files; again, knowledge about your situation is power.) Don’t skip your annual gynecological exam, as a manual and visual pelvic exam is an excellent way to detect growths or tumors. Always discuss any unusual symptoms with your doctor.
Other things to consider: Lend your voice to the cause. Contact your congressperson to ask about legislation that supports ovarian cancer research. Sign the online petition for the USPS Ovarian Cancer Awareness postage stamp (go to: petitiononline.com/ovca2007/petition.html to add your signature to the petition.)
Join a local grassroots organization or ovarian cancer network. Ask your doctor or local hospital if an organization like this exists in your region. For example, in New York’s Hudson Valley we have the Linda Young Ovarian Cancer Support Program, and the Healthcare Consortium’s Ovarian Cancer Awareness Initiative. When you find an organization in your area, get involved. Volunteer, read their literature, make a contribution, study their website. You’ll be educated about the best doctors and cutting edge treatments in your region (my doctor is an advisor to the Linda Young Ovarian Cancer Support Program, which is one of the reasons I chose her.)
Always Be Proactive
In conclusion, education and early detection are vital in the battle against ovarian cancer. It is very important to always be proactive about the disease. If you feel that you (or someone you know) might have the disease, seek prompt medical evaluation and treatment from a qualified physician (this article is not a substitute for seeking medical care, it is a supplement to your education.) There are many reputable resources available to assist you on your journey to understand more about the disease.
In this article, you have learned the early warning signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and what you can do to raise your awareness and educate yourself about the disease. For your mother, your daughter, your sister, for yourself and all of your loved ones, I urge you to increase your ovarian cancer awareness. Start today. Arm yourself with information, spread the word about ovarian cancer, its signs and symptoms, and visit OCRF and NOCC to learn about ways you can get involved in the fight for a cure!
