Warlady
03-05-2006, 08:51 PM
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.
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.
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.