As you know, my focus up to now has been on Breast Cancer because I am a Breast Cancer Survivor.  But what about other cancers, like Ovarian Cancer, which doesn’t get anywhere near the amount of publicity as Breast Cancer?  I went online, did some research, and was fortunate to meet a wonderful woman who was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Ovarian Cancer in 2000.  Before I tell  you her story, I want to share some information I found online, mostly on the MayoClinic.com website.

“Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries.  Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus.  The ovaries–each about the size of an almond–produce eggs as well as the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.  Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen.  At this late stage ovarian cancer is difficult to treat and is often fatal.  Ovarian cancer treatments are available.  Researchers are studying ways to improve ovarian cancer treatment and looking into ways to detect ovarian cancer at an earlier stage–when a cure is more likely”.

Some of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

• Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
• Pelvic discomfort or pain
• Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
• Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
• Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around the waist
• A persistent lack of energy
• Low back pain

From what I have read, there are three types of ovarian cancer:

• Cancer that begins in the cells on the outside of the ovaries
• Cancer that begins in the egg-producing cells
• Cancer that begins in the hormone-producing cells

And the risk factors are as follows:

• Inherited gene mutations
• Family history of ovarian cancer
• A previous cancer diagnosis
• Getting older
• Never having been pregnant
• Hormone replacement therapy for menopause

At this point I want to tell you about Loretta, who I met with two days ago–and although she may disagree with me, and despite a broken wrist–she has a positive attitude, a sense of humor and is very easy to talk to.  Loretta was first diagnosed in 2000 with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer.  Her symptoms were bloating, weight gain, pain in the pit of her stomach, discomfort around her shoulders and a drop of blood.  Her doctor did vaginal ultrasound and then sent her to Jefferson University Hospital for a pelvic ultrasound.  After that, she was advised to see an oncologist immediately.  And in December 2000, Loretta had surgery, followed by 6 rounds of chemotherapy.

Loretta had to get blood work every 3 months and two and and a half  years later, her blood count went up.  She had no symptoms.  Her doctor ordered a Pet Scan and a lymph node under her right arm was found, so more surgery and more chemo.

After another year and a half, Loretta’s count went up again and another Pet Scan was ordered and another lymph node was found again under her arm.  This time Loretta had surgery and opted out of having chemo.

In 2007, Loretta had another Pet Scan and they found a tumor in her clavicle.  She endured another surgery and this time had radiation.

It’s now 2011 and Loretta is still here, looking wonderful and when I asked her about attitude, her response was “Attitude gets you through the day”.  I have to say that she is an amazing women who is working very hard at helping other women with this disease and raising funds for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, which was created in honor of a 33-year-old woman who died of the disease eight years ago, because ovarian cancer research “is very poorly funded”.  Loretta urges women to have annual rectal and vaginal pelvic examinations.  She organizes seminars and rallies.  “And I do a lot of preaching,” she says.

“Listen to your body; do not ignore symptoms and don’t take no for an answer,” says Loretta.  “If you have symptoms and/or family history insist on tests, including a CA-125 blood test and an ultrasound”.

For more information contact the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at 1-800-873-9569 or go to www.ocrf.org.

For information on finding a Cancer Coach, please visit www.HelpYouHealCoaching.com

And if you are looking for a gift for Mother’s Day or a gift for someone who just needs to know that you care, please visit www.pinkribbongift.com