"When I was told that I had stage 3 ovarian cancer I felt like I had just received a death sentence. I was scared, depressed, and angry. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. Now, its eighteen years later, and I'm in perfect health. I truly am one of the lucky ones who have beaten this insidious disease". Laurie, 18 year survivor.
The National Cancer Institute estimates each year over 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 13,500 women will lose their lives to it. Caught early there is a greater than 92 percent 5 year survival rate. However, most women are diagnosed in the later stages where there is only a 50 percent rate of survival five years after diagnosis. Not everyone is as lucky as Laurie.
Knowledge is power. Educating yourself and all the women in your life about signs and symptoms can be life- saving. Although presently there are no tests for early detection, organizations like Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, www.ocrf.org are funding cutting edge research programs that will hopefully lead towards more effective identification, treatment and ultimately, a cure for ovarian cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
Part of the difficulty in diagnosing ovarian cancer is that the symptoms can be vague and sometimes attributed to other difficulties, such as gastrointestinal problems. However, if any of the following symptoms persist for two weeks or more, a woman should consult her doctor and ask about ovarian cancer.
- A swollen or bloated abdomen or increased girth
- Persistent pressure or pain in the abdomen or pelvis
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary concerns, such as urgency or frequency
- Change in bowel habits with constipation and/or diarrhea
Dealing with an Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ovarian cancer can be extremely frightening and devastating. Feelings of fear, shock, sadness, anger, hope, and acceptance are common. Dealing with the loss of fertility, a shifting body image, sexual functioning and the impact on personal relationships are just a few of the things that patients struggle with as they go through tests, surgeries and most often chemotherapy.
Grieving the very real losses, recognizing what you can and can't control, following doctor's recommendations, and being grateful for whatever good things still exist, helps patients deal with the challenges they must face. It is a process, and often hard to "be positive" as some might advise, when told you have a life threatening illness. However, a good hopeful attitude, along with acknowledging all the feelings that this diagnosis may bring puts one on the path towards acceptance. But if depression or other feelings persist and interfere with functioning, it is time to seek professional help.
In my 15 years counseling cancer patients, and providing educational seminars for OCRF, one thing that often helps patients is taking a proactive approach to their care. Obtaining information, but not overwhelming themselves with too much, is crucial. Joining a support group or talking to a long term survivor can also be helpful.
Some additional helpful tips:
- If ovarian cancer is suspected, make an appointment to see a gynecological oncologist. For help in locating one in your area, contact Society for Gynecological Oncologists (SGO) www.sgo.org.
- Bring someone to doctor's appointment for support and to ensure that information is properly heard and processed.
- Write questions down prior to appointment to make sure that your concerns are addressed.
- A skilled doctor is great; one that you also feel comfortable discussing your concerns with is optimum. Second opinions are always an option.
Additional Resources
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Spread the word! Pass this blog and information on to every woman you know. Being proactive and educated can save a life. Maybe yours, someone you love, or someone they know or love. And remember, there is always hope!
