Signs of Ovarian Cancer

August 13, 2004

CelticDiva2 wrote:

Cabana_Boy_Watchers From: CelticDiva2Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 20:11:57 EDT[weightogo] IMPORTANT

SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END P L E A S E! (guys: pass it on to your lady)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.

August 14, 2004

This is

no joke!! I did not know about this test until I was classified as endometrium

stage 4 prognosis 5 yrs. I had asked for an ultrasound of the abdomen

nearly a year before they found I was full of cancer and my bowels and

kidney/bladder neither were working. I was headed for heaven real

fast. I have had surgery and 13 rounds of chemo and I think 40 rounds of radiation(yuck!!).

I am still in treatment but am also doing things to help my immune system. Please

all of you take this seriously.

Hugs,

Carolyn

Mentor " Wholeness & Healing " and " One For

Life " Communities

http://www.women-of-worth.org/communities.shtml

http://www.juiceplus.com/+cm90259

Kelly Wortkoetter

[kellykebby]

Friday, August

13, 2004 6:46 AM

Signs of Ovarian CancerCelticDiva2

wrote:

Cabana_Boy_Watchers

CelticDiva2

Thu, 12 Aug 2004 20:11:57 EDT

[weightogo] IMPORTANT

SIGNS

OF OVARIAN CANCER

THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END P L E A S E!

(guys: pass it on to your lady)

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.

August 14, 2004

I took it very seriously.

Cancer is never a joke.

Hugs, Jacy

~I don't approve of political jokes. I've seen too many of them get elected.

jacymailIM: jacygal - ICQ: 96949087www.geocities.com/mtn_rose

Signature powered by Plaxo

Want a signature like this?

Carolyn [car86har71]Friday, August 13, 2004 16:32 Subject: RE: Signs of Ovarian Cancer

This is no joke!! I did not know about this test until I was classified as endometrium stage 4 prognosis 5 yrs. I had asked for an ultrasound of the abdomen nearly a year before they found I was full of cancer and my bowels and kidney/bladder neither were working. I was headed for heaven real fast. I have had surgery and 13 rounds of chemo and I think 40 rounds of radiation(yuck!!). I am still in treatment but am also doing things to help my immune system. Please all of you take this seriously.

Hugs,

Carolyn

Mentor "Wholeness & Healing" and "One For Life" Communitieshttp://www.women-of-worth.org/communities.shtml

http://www.juiceplus.com/+cm90259

Kelly Wortkoetter [kellykebby] Friday, August 13, 2004 6:46 AM Signs of Ovarian CancerCelticDiva2 wrote:

Cabana_Boy_Watchers From: CelticDiva2Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 20:11:57 EDT[weightogo] IMPORTANTSIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END P L E A S E!

(guys: pass it on to your lady)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.