Signs of Ovarian cancer
>
> 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 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.