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Judy died of Ovarian Cancer
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Courtenay, B.C. - Saturday, December 13, 2003 by: Carol M. Martin
My friend, Judy died of Ovarian Cancer on August
17th. The purpose of this page is to bring awareness of ovarian cancer to as many
women as possible.
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| the late Judy Lidgate and her friend Carol Martin October 2002
during Judy's chemotherapy. |
In the previous months before Judy was diagnosed with cancer, she didn’t feel right.
Judy, an energetic positive person, started to complain about feeling tired. Judy
noticed changes in her bowel habits; she was having more back problems, headaches,
sleep problems, and some “spotting” despite being post-menopausal.
Ovarian Cancer can strike at any age, but most cases affect women between
the ages of 50 and 75 years. The average age when ovarian cancer is detected in women
is 56.3 years. Unfortunately, 75% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced
stages where survival rate is low. This year it is estimated that in Canada, 2,600
women -- one in 70 — will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. 1,500 women will die
from this cancer in 2003. Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of all women's
cancers.
Some risk factors are familial link for ovarian cancer in 10% of cases, never being
pregnant, family history of breast, endometrial, or colorectal cancer, history of
infertility and early menstruation and late menopause.
There is no single early detection test available such as the mammography in breast
cancer or the colonoscopy in colorectal cancer. The Pap test is not a test
for ovarian cancer. Knowledge is the most important and the best weapon in the fight
against this disease.
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All women need to be aware of the
following possible symptoms and signs of Ovarian Cancer.
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- Generalized discomfort in the abdomen, bloating, pelvic pain.
- Persistent but vague stomach upset — gas, feeling of nausea, indigestion.
- Non-specific bodily discomfort that persists or a feeling of uneasiness
that you cannot explain.
- A feeling of early satiety -- feeling too full for no valid reason.
- Loss of appetite.
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits … feeling constipated
or needing to urinate frequently in the absence of an infection.
- An unexplained weight gain. “Swelling in the abdomen with no pain”
or unexplained weight loss.
- Pain during intercourse.
- Fatigue unrelieved by bed rest.
- Back ache.
- Sometimes unusual bleeding from the vagina.
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If you have any of these symptoms and they persist for
longer than two to three weeks, make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.
It is important though to remember that these symptoms and signs are not unique to
ovarian cancer. If after seeing your Doctor, you still have concerns, go see him
or her again to discuss these concerns. Ask for a referral to a Gynaecologist
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My girlfriend and I had many intimate talks while she was fighting to live.
The one talk that stands out the most is when she said to me,
“Carol, Get to know your body. Be aware of changes,
follow your instincts and if something does not feel quite right, don't hesitate
to seek medical attention!"
ALL WOMEN SHOULD HAVE A YEARLY RECTO-PELVIC
EXAMINATION.
For those women who are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer, a CA125 blood
test with a transvaginal ultrasound may be used as a screening tool.
To find out more about this disease visit this sites:
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Carol M. Martin
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| References: |
Judy Lidgate memorial
page on OvCa.net
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National Ovarian Cancer Coalition,NOCC
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Ovarian Cancer National Alliance OC
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National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov, Ovarian
Cancer Home Page
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National Ovarian Cancer Association, Canadian
community for ovarian cancer.
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Medline Plus Health Information, Ovarian
Cancer
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John's Hopkins Pathology, Ovarian Cancer
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The Gilda Radner familial Ovarian
Cancer Registry Buffalo New York
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Oncology Channel,Ovarian
Cancer, Health Communities.com
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Woolf, Steven H., Screening
for Ovarian Cancer, 1996 update of original publication in 1994, Washington,
D.C., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion
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Comforth, Tracee, Ovarian
Cancer: The "Silent" Killer undated, About
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Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative, Ovarian
Cancer Awareness, 2003, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta Georgia
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BBC News Ovarian
Cancer, March 17, 2003, 2000, BBC New World Edition
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Cancer Research UK,Ovarian
Cancer
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Knopf, Kevin M.D., M.P.H., Ovarian
Cancer, July 23, 2002, Yahoo Health, A.D.A.M. Inc. VeriMed Healthcare Network
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| This page is a story posted on Ensign and/or Saskatchewan
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images, political commentary, information and news. These publications are the work
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Editor : Timothy W. Shire
Faster Than Light Communication
Box 1776, Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Canada, S0E 1T0
306 873 2004
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