> (Even In The Absence Of Ovaries)
>
> An Eye-Opener On Ovarian Cancer
>
> THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END
>
> 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
> & gt; 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 o n 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 R ELATIVES
> TO INSIST ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF
> THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS.
>
> > Be fore warned that their doctors might try to talk them
> o 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.