Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Definition of ovarian cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells). Estimated new cases and deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States in 2010:
New cases: 21,880
Deaths: 13,850
New cases: 21,880
Deaths: 13,850
Early ovarian cancer may not cause any symptoms. When symptoms do appear, ovarian cancer is often advanced. Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include the following:
Tests to examine the ovaries, pelvic area, blood, and ovarian tissue are used to detect (find) and diagnose ovarian cancer. A doctor may do a pelvic exam which includes a Pap smear of the cervix. The doctor or nurse may also insert a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for lumps or other areas to check for size, shape and position of your uterus.
The chance of recovery and treatment options depend on the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDO3rKPADwY&feature=player_detailpage
- Pain or swelling in the Abdomen.
- Pain in the pelvis.
- stomach problems, such as gas, bloating, or constipation.
- Pain when having intercourse.
Tests to examine the ovaries, pelvic area, blood, and ovarian tissue are used to detect (find) and diagnose ovarian cancer. A doctor may do a pelvic exam which includes a Pap smear of the cervix. The doctor or nurse may also insert a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for lumps or other areas to check for size, shape and position of your uterus.
The chance of recovery and treatment options depend on the following:
- The stage of the cancer.
- The type and size of the tumor.
- The patient’s age and general health.
- Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDO3rKPADwY&feature=player_detailpage
My personal story
I was one of the women that said, I'm not sexually active so I don't need a pap every year. Oh my god I was totally wrong. Cancer doesn't run in my family so I didn't think I would have to worry about that, but let me tell you it doesn't have to run in your family!!! You could be at risk even though you say to yourself it can't happen to me. It can happen to anyone. For me It started with mild cramping, but all the sudden it got out of control very quickly. I finally went in to have my pap and I didn't expect to find anything. So I'm there in the room, having the tests done, and then both nurses left the room. They came back in and told me that I had a abnormal test and they saw two cysts. They told me that I needed to go see a specialist for further testing. So I went in and I didn't know that they were going to remove the two tumors for a biopsy. They said it would hurt a little and they would numb the cervix and I shouldn't be too bothered by it, so I said okay, go for it and lets get this over with. I had no idea whats was in store for me. They take this huge clamper, that's about all I saw, then all the sudden they cut off the tumor and I could hear when they cut it off. It was a sound that I will never forget,and then the pain hit me like no other pain I have ever had, then to stop the bleeding they pour vinegar on the cervix. By this time I'm in tears about to kick the nurse in her head and wanting to rip her apart. Then they just get up and say "we're all done", like it was nothing. About a week or so later they call me back and say that I needed to come back for more testing. By this time I'm freaking out and they they come in non-nonchalantly and say well you have ovarian cancer, and walked out of the room. I knew nothing about this type of cancer. I didn't realize that it was a bad as it was. The doctor comes in and says we need to think about some options for treatment. Too make a long story short I choose chemotherapy. I started the treatment and had to do it for 7 long months. During this time pretty much lost my dignity, my hair, and I lost so much weight. I am 5'11" and I weighed only 119 lbs. I looked like a walking corpse. I have never been so sick that I couldn't even get out of bed, couldn't eat, couldn't take care of my kids, and I felt that I was loosing everything.
If you could imagine someone giving you cyanide poison everyday for 7 months and just giving you enough to put you on a death bed but not enough to kill you. That's the only way i could describe it. It was the only time in my life that I actually prayed to God to please let me die and just not wake up, but I had my kids, my family, and all my best friends around me, oh and a little bit of marijuana. Months went by, it felt like years to me, and we finally stopped the chemo because the doctor said that I was in remission, but he made no promises that I would be free from what I call death. I still have to go in every three months to get a pap test, and until I get past a two-year mark that I have been cancer free, I will still have to go through these tests. But i will gladly take that any day, over going through hell for 7 months.
If you have a daughter, GET HER THE HPV SHOT TO PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER FROM HAPPENING TO HER, and ladies GO GET A PAP EVERY YEAR, NO EXCUSES...............
I was one of the women that said, I'm not sexually active so I don't need a pap every year. Oh my god I was totally wrong. Cancer doesn't run in my family so I didn't think I would have to worry about that, but let me tell you it doesn't have to run in your family!!! You could be at risk even though you say to yourself it can't happen to me. It can happen to anyone. For me It started with mild cramping, but all the sudden it got out of control very quickly. I finally went in to have my pap and I didn't expect to find anything. So I'm there in the room, having the tests done, and then both nurses left the room. They came back in and told me that I had a abnormal test and they saw two cysts. They told me that I needed to go see a specialist for further testing. So I went in and I didn't know that they were going to remove the two tumors for a biopsy. They said it would hurt a little and they would numb the cervix and I shouldn't be too bothered by it, so I said okay, go for it and lets get this over with. I had no idea whats was in store for me. They take this huge clamper, that's about all I saw, then all the sudden they cut off the tumor and I could hear when they cut it off. It was a sound that I will never forget,and then the pain hit me like no other pain I have ever had, then to stop the bleeding they pour vinegar on the cervix. By this time I'm in tears about to kick the nurse in her head and wanting to rip her apart. Then they just get up and say "we're all done", like it was nothing. About a week or so later they call me back and say that I needed to come back for more testing. By this time I'm freaking out and they they come in non-nonchalantly and say well you have ovarian cancer, and walked out of the room. I knew nothing about this type of cancer. I didn't realize that it was a bad as it was. The doctor comes in and says we need to think about some options for treatment. Too make a long story short I choose chemotherapy. I started the treatment and had to do it for 7 long months. During this time pretty much lost my dignity, my hair, and I lost so much weight. I am 5'11" and I weighed only 119 lbs. I looked like a walking corpse. I have never been so sick that I couldn't even get out of bed, couldn't eat, couldn't take care of my kids, and I felt that I was loosing everything.
If you could imagine someone giving you cyanide poison everyday for 7 months and just giving you enough to put you on a death bed but not enough to kill you. That's the only way i could describe it. It was the only time in my life that I actually prayed to God to please let me die and just not wake up, but I had my kids, my family, and all my best friends around me, oh and a little bit of marijuana. Months went by, it felt like years to me, and we finally stopped the chemo because the doctor said that I was in remission, but he made no promises that I would be free from what I call death. I still have to go in every three months to get a pap test, and until I get past a two-year mark that I have been cancer free, I will still have to go through these tests. But i will gladly take that any day, over going through hell for 7 months.
If you have a daughter, GET HER THE HPV SHOT TO PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER FROM HAPPENING TO HER, and ladies GO GET A PAP EVERY YEAR, NO EXCUSES...............