Fw: [usths82] Fwd: Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

[Guest guest]

IS THIS TRUE ?

----- Forwarded Message ----

From: Yanining Sy <yaniningsy@...>

Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 9:56:40 PM

Subject: [usths82] Fwd: Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

-

Subject: Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

Please share this with all of the women you know.

Subject: SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER (even in the absence of Ovaries) THIS IS A MUST

TO READ TO THE END

An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer

I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you can. Send

this to the women in your life that you care about.

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 alas,too late. She wrote a book to

heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.

KATHY'S STORY: this is the story of Kathy West

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 health care. I thought I had done that because I always had an annual

physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the dentist at

least twice a year,etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy 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.

</FON

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 bacteria 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 drawn off at the hospital

(not a pleasant experience 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 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 I 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; DO NOT 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

done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just as women do when

they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly elevated PSA 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 - catching it early.

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

cancer. Please, go to your doctor 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. 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.

A NOTE FROM THE RN:

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 my

husband'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.

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. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND THIS OUT TO ALL

THOSE YOU CAN. BE IT MALE OR FEMALE, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER, AS THEY CAN FORWARD

IT ALSO TO THOSE LOVED ONES THEY KNOW.

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FORWARDING SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS THIS, HERE'S A

LITTLE HINT THAT MAY ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR DECISION ~ JUST PRETEND THAT THIS IS A

JOKE, WHICH IT CERTAINLY IS NOT, AND SEND IT OUT TO ALL THE FOLKS YOU WOULD IF

IT WAS. THANKS

________________________________

Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Small Business.

________________________________

How do you prepare for your first job interview?

Discover the different ways in Answers!

Have a new account? Kick start your journey by importing all

your contacts! http://www.trueswitch.com/-ph