Ovarian Cancer Detection

[Guest guest]

I'm sending this to all my friends. Fellows, tell your wives about this.

This was posted on another list that I am on. I thought you all

would be interested in the information that the e-mail contains.

I know I will be doing a bit of " research " on the topic.

Have a good day.

elaine

Subject: Ovarian Cancer Detection

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 too late. She

wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.

Kathy's story:

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

" tumor marker " CA-125 BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same

way--surgery to remove the primary tumor 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 healthcare. I thought I had done that because I always had an

annual physical and PAP smear, did monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the

dentist at least twice/year, etc. I even insisted on a smgmoidoscopy 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 tell 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 bacterial 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 drained off at the hospital

(not a pleasant procedure, 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, 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 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; don't 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 one done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just

like women do when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly

elevated PAS 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 - catch it early.

Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this VERY

AGGRESSIVE cancer - and maybe, just maybe, it will be YOU. I hope not.

Please, go to your doctor THIS WEEK 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. As

the Nike ads day, " JUST DO IT " . Please don't think youth will protect you

either. 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.

NOTE FROM LISA:

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 Ron'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. So I am having this blood test this Friday.

For those of you that still have these parts, go have the test taken. 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.

Pass this information along to every woman you know. I am making lots and

lots of copies for all the ladies at work. We need to take care of

ourselves. "

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

Thank you for this most informative article. I was always one of those women

who complains about going to the Gyn once a year when " there is nothing

there " . I also had a hysterectomy a long time ago and thought that was one

less thing that I had to worry about. This article will hopefully save

countless lives. I know that I will be asking for the blood test once a year.

I have shared this with many, many people. Once again, thanks.

Have a pain free evening.......

Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

Debs in FL