#NCSD2016 #CelebratingSurvivors
I recently learned about National Cancer Survivor’s Day from Heather Von St. James, as she is a 10-year mesothelioma survivor. You can read her story here.
About Mesothelioma
Approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
On average, about 2,500 mesothelioma-related deaths occur in the U.S. each year. Between 1999 and 2010, more than 31,000 people in the U.S. died due to mesothelioma.
From 1999 to 2010, the number of people who died each year in the U.S. from mesothelioma as an underlying or contributing cause increased by 10%.
Statistics from Mesothelioma.com.
It is a day for everyone, whether you’re a cancer survivor, a family member, friend, or medical professional. This day provides an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer – including America’s more than 14.5 million cancer survivors – to connect with each other, celebrate milestones, and recognize those who have supported them along the way. It is also a day to draw attention to the ongoing challenges of cancer survivorship in order to promote more resources, research, and survivor-friendly legislation to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
In honor of National Cancer Survivor’s Day, I’m spreading the word about the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. My mom lost her battle with the horrible disease December 2010, but the symptoms and lack of testing is what caused her to be misdiagnosed for so long. As we celebrate cancer survivors, take a minute to learn the symptoms of Ovarian cancer. I share this in the hopes that maybe one more woman can get early diagnosis and increase their chances for survival.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Please review the symptoms again, if you haven’t already, and talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms or even if you are worried that something may be wrong. It is always better to talk to a doctor than to wait and not do anything.
The scientists always call Ovarian Cancer the silent cancer or the cancer that “whispers”. We learned the hard way. My mom knew something was wrong and kept going to doctors for six long months to get tests and find out the reason she didn’t feel well. All the doctors said not to worry and it there wasn’t a problem. She was dismissed by the doctors that she had been seeing.
One morning in May 2008, she was watching “The View” on TV and someone spoke about the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and she sat up and said “those are my symptoms”. She immediately called the doctor and told them she thought she had ovarian cancer and wanted to be tested.
After what seemed like a lifetime of running tests (blood tests, ultrasounds, etc.), it was confirmed that she did have the disease. Unfortunately, she was told by the doctors that she only had three to four months to live – six months at the most.
I want to give you a list of the symptoms. They seem like symptoms that any woman can have for any reason, but you want to listen to your body. Don’t delay in talking to your doctor if you are having any of the symptoms, especially if they are getting worse.
Warning Signs:
Persistent indigestion, gas or nauseaLoss of appetite or feeling full quicklyPelvic discomfort or painLack of energyAbdominal pressure, fullness or bloatingConstipation and/or increased frequency of urinationLow back pain
These are not all the warning signs, but they are important signs to recognize. Please take the time to listen to your body when it speaks to you.
Ovarian Cancer One Sheet
Print out this sheet courtesy of Dr. Oz and NOCC and take it with you to your next GYN appointment. It’s a great starting point.
My mom wasn’t diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer until it was in Stage IV. She was misdiagnosed for almost a year. Don’t wait. If you have symptoms, talk to your doctor sooner rather than later. Print it HERE.