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Cancer

Anna1212
Anna1212

I was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  It's depressing and hard and scary but if any good can come of it, I thought maybe it would be sharing about it here to help other women.


Just, please stay current with your gyn appointments, ask them about this disease and what tests you need and when to find it early so it can be treated.  One of the reasons it is so deadly is because it has few symptoms and by the time it does have symptoms it is often advanced and hard to treat.


Anyone can get it but there are some risk factor such as family history of ovarian cancer, obesity, never having had children, caring a gene mutation such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, age (being past menopause), smoking, to name a few.


It is a relatively rare cancer, about 22,000 women per year in U.S. get it, but believe me you don't want to be one of those women.  Anyway, I will get off my soap box now.  I just don't want anyone to have to go through what I am going through right now.  There are ways to decrease your risk and find it early.  I'll be writing about it more in my journal.  




maria718
maria718
I used to work with a woman who never used to go for tests. Finally she went for a PAP smear and was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. I am sure she is gone now.
Very scary. Yes, ladies, please keep up with your routine testing!
mtd
mtd
I had a history of endometriosis, My sisters did and on all the women on my husband’s side. So I started my daughter on a yearly Pap test at 15. At 17 she had an abnormal pap and was diagnosed with precancerous cervical cells. Had I not been proactive with her female health, she might not be here today. I’ll admit freely that it was mother’s intuition/instinct, which is a gift from God! Prayers up for you friend, and thanks for sharing.
GreenEyes727
GreenEyes727
I'm sorry about your diagnosis but your attitude and willingness to help others are awesome. You'll be in my prayers.
rmb
rmb
An annual pap/exam won’t detect ovarian cancer. But, an annual exam will give you a chance to discuss your family history, health history, any problems you are experiencing, etc with gynecologist. That way your doctor can counsel you on the risks, whether it makes sense to do further investigative testing, like an ultrasound, additional lab work etc. I recently went through this myself as my risk for ovarian cancer is increased and fortunately everything checked out ok. So yes, go for your annual well women visits, even if you are beyond child bearing age. Talk to your doctor and ask a lot of questions. It’s important.

Anna1212, I’m so sorry you are going through this and am keeping a good thought for you as you navigate treatment and recovery.
Anna1212
Anna1212
Thank you for your replies and encouragement! Yes, rmb, I'm glad you mentioned that. A pap test won't pick up ovarian cancer. It's not easy to detect until it is advanced but your gyn should know what tests you need to stay healthy. rmb, I'm glad you are ok. mtd, glad your daughter got help she needed.
rmb
rmb
Hope you are doing ok! Stay strong!!
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