SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER

[Laurence]

SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER (even in the absence of Ovaries)

THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END
An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer
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.
A few 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 “tumour marker” CA-125
BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgery to remove the primary tumour
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 t ell 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, and 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 forewarned 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 another done in three or
six months and keep a close eye on it, just as women do when they have fibroid tumours 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 AN 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.
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.

♥~Walking together as Love, Light & Awareness~♥

Laurence

[laughlight]

I know of this....bless you for the reminder...because Knowing is one thing, but I am remiss in the 'DO-ing'. Thank you L for being in our lives. I offer & have no excuse...for anything. Namaste.
e