posted April 26, 2006 10:37 PM         

SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER - THIS IS A MUST READ

Subject: "SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER" (even in the absence of Ovaries) THIS IS A
MUST TO READ TO THE END. (Insist on CA-125 --find out why)

An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer

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 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 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 (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 RELATIVES TO INSIST ON A
CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS.

Be forewarned that their doctors might try to talk them 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.

posted April 27, 2006 11:55 AM         

GET TESTED!

posted April 29, 2006 09:34 PM         

I'm going to ask my doctor about this test and find out if my HMO covers it.

Truthfully there is such a double standard in the medical profession it's unbelievable.