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.

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

wou ld 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 prostrate screen (which my husband's doctor automatically

gives him in his physical l 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.