Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month - Yes, there are symptoms

In the United States September is designated Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Nine years ago I had just started chemotherapy for Stage 3b Ovarian Cancer. Back then I didn't know very much about ovarian cancer and the symptom consensus statement (2007) hadn't been written yet.

Today many organizations like the national organizations- OCNA, NOCC, OCRF as well as numerous smaller foundations are concentrating on sharing the symptoms of ovarian cancer with women in their communities.

Just in case you miss some of those incredible awareness campaigns,  the symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Bloating
• Pelvic / abdominal pain
• Feeling full/ difficulty eating
• Frequent urination

Other symptoms include fatigue, back pain, constipation and menstrual irregularity.

If you experience symptoms for more than 2 weeks please see your gynecologist.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Every Women is at Risk- World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day !

This is truly amazing. It is a first for ovarian cancer.
Twenty seven organizations and seventeen countries around the world are celebrating World Ovarian Cancer Day today. Women in these countries are going to wear teal, the awareness color of ovarian cancer. They will  talk about symptoms and risk factors and raise awareness. Since I was diagnosed I have often thought that there are many wonderful organizations raising awareness and funds for research but we need one voice. I am so happy to see that is happening today.

Why is this day necessary?
Ovarian Cancer has the lowest survival rate of any gynecologic cancer.
All women are at risk for ovarian cancer.
Many women think that the Pap Test is a screening test for ovarian cancer. It is NOT!
Many women do not know that there are Ovarian Cancer symptoms.
The global diagnosis rate for ovarian cancer is a quarter million women.
Approximately 6500 women are diagnosed with OC in the UK every year.
Approximately 25000 women are diagnosed with OC in the US each year.
Approximately 1400 women are diagnosed with OC in the Australia each year.


What can you do? 
Share these symptoms with other women and if they last more than 2 weeks please see your gynecologist.

Bloating

Eating less

Abdominal pain 

Trouble with your bladder 

For more information:http://ovariancancerday.org/

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

N.E.D.'s Documentary Film

I am so happy to share information I received from  Spark Media. They have been working with N.E.D.,  the rock band,  to produce a documentary. If you don't know about this band of gyn surgeons and want to listen to some of their music you should definitely check out their website (http://www.nedtheband.com/).  I hope you like the great music from some pretty awesome doctors! 

"No Evidence of Disease, a new documentary film by the award-winning team at Spark Media, is about N.E.D. a rock band of 6 GYN cancer surgeons outraged by the wall of silence surrounding their field. With grace, honesty, even humor, NED interweaves the challenging journeys and remarkable courage of women, devoted families and dedicated doctors, as music and medicine join forces in the fight for survival. If you have questions, want to get involved, or would like to host a screening, contact us at: info@NEDTHEMOVIE.com "You can watch a trailer from the movie here.

 "AND THERE’S MORE: Spark Media has produced a 16 minute piece entitled: What Every Woman Should Know. It’s all the latest info about the 5 major GYN cancers, explained by the rock/doctors, their patients, N.E.D.’s music and graphics." Check it out here http://vimeo.com/57096962

Visit the movie website: www.nedthemovie.com
Like them on Facebook: FB.com/NEDmovie

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing.

OC Awareness Month #5- There are subtle symptoms

With no screening test for ovarian cancer what can a woman do to catch the disease as early as possible?

As ovarian cancer progresses there are subtle symptoms similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal problems but a woman should not ignore them. A woman needs to listen to her body and if the following symptoms happen every day for more than two weeks she should see her doctor- preferably a gynecologist or gynecologic oncologist.

• Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs
• A swollen or bloated abdomen
• Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
• Feeling very tired all the time

Less common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Feeling the need to urinate often
• Unusual vaginal bleeding (heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause)

Source: NCI http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/ovary/page5

I experienced pain on my left side and what I thought were symptoms of menopause. I'm glad that I mentioned those symptoms to my gynecologist at my annual visit.  And very happy that she didn't ignore what I told her. She sent me for a transvaginal ultrasound and my path down the road to an ovarian cancer diagnosis began.


You can use this OCNA symptom diary to track persistent symptoms and bring it with you when you visit the doctor.


Dee
Every day is a Blessing!

HAWMC 9 Keep Calm ...

 Keep  calm  and  carry  on.  Write  (and  create)  your  own  Keep  Calm  and  Carry  On   poster.  Can  you  make  it  about  your  condition?

The symptoms of ovarian cancer -  bloating, frequent urination, pelvic or abdominal pain,difficulty eating - may resemble other gastrointestinal diseases. But if after two weeks those symptoms continue you need to see you gynecologist. Tell him/her exactly how you feel because You Know Your Body Best! You know that you feel differently and you are the expert in how you feel.

As a gynecologic oncologist once told me " Ask your doctor to prove to you that you don't have ovarian cancer"

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing

#6 HAWMC Haiku- Symptoms

#6 HAWMC  Health  haiku.  Write  a  haiku  about  your  health  focus.

Symptoms

Bloating, feeling full
Ovarian cancer clues
See your doctor now!

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!