SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER

An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer

Years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was treated for everything under the sun. This blood test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower. This is the story of Kathy West, as told in her own words.

“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. I am writing this in the hope that every woman who reads this will take it to her doctor, and demand the necessary tests to see if she has it.

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 which 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; the 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 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 (This is not normal). Needless to say, I had to cancel my trip and have five pounds of fluids drained from my body. I assure you that was nothing compared to what was yet 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. This simple CA-125 blood test had never been run on me as part of my annual physical exam and not even 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, your doctor might try to talk your 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.

Please share this article to every woman you know, and tell all of your female family members and friends. The median age for this cancer is 56. I'm exactly 56; however, women as young as 22 have it. Age is no factor.

A NOTE FROM THE RN: 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. My husband's doctor automatically gives him in the PSA with his physical each year and his 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.

Author’s Note: This is very serious business. So, please take control of your health care Not just in this instance, but in your total healthcare. Only you know how you feel inside, the doctor only reacts and prescribes on the symptoms you relate to him, and the results of tests given. Write it down. If you think you can’t remember every detail of your main complaint, write it down. If a doctor won’t listen to you, or make you feel your complaint is unimportant to him, find another one. Regardless of how much insurance you have, or whether or not Medicare is paying for it, your treatment is not free and he/she is being paid for it.