Bad news for women

So, today I made a four-hour (thanks to worse-than-usual traffic in Atlanta, construction on I-85, and thundershowers) round-trip to my doctor near Northside Hospital to get a screening for ovarian cancer. He had recently decided that a CA-125 and an ultrasound were important screening tools. I had my CA-125 test when I went for my annual checkup a few weeks ago, and today I had the ultrasound. I was a little freaked out because after 10 years of infertility treatments (Clomid and Pergonal), I know that increases my risk. The technician said the ultrasound was normal. Then I had to wait for the "official" results from the doctor. He said, "You're not going to believe this, but a publication came out today that says that CA-125, ultrasounds, and even pelvic exams are totally a waste of time for testing for ovarian cancer."

Ladies, we're screwed (literally and figuratively)! That means there is no way to test us for ovarian cancer, the fifth leading cancer in women, and once it's detected, we're pretty much dead. I told him that I'd bet if it were a cancer that affected men, an appropriate array of tests would have been devised. I know it's not his fault, but it's pretty scary, especially for those of us like me for whom my ovaries were frequently blown up like balloons from the Pergonal!:bang:

that's very scary...
even the diagnostics for breast cancer are unacceptable...
imagine telling a man you'd have to squeeze his balls in a vice to test for disease?

that's very scary...
even the diagnostics for breast cancer are unacceptable...
imagine telling a man you'd have to squeeze his balls in a vice to test for disease?

I hear ya.

BR...this really stinks...do you think your Dr. would pass u the article link to post?

So, today I made a four-hour (thanks to worse-than-usual traffic in Atlanta, construction on I-85, and thundershowers) round-trip to my doctor near Northside Hospital to get a screening for ovarian cancer. He had recently decided that a CA-125 and an ultrasound were important screening tools. I had my CA-125 test when I went for my annual checkup a few weeks ago, and today I had the ultrasound. I was a little freaked out because after 10 years of infertility treatments (Clomid and Pergonal), I know that increases my risk. The technician said the ultrasound was normal. Then I had to wait for the "official" results from the doctor. He said, "You're not going to believe this, but a publication came out today that says that CA-125, ultrasounds, and even pelvic exams are totally a waste of time for testing for ovarian cancer."

Ladies, we're screwed (literally and figuratively)! That means there is no way to test us for ovarian cancer, the fifth leading cancer in women, and once it's detected, we're pretty much dead. I told him that I'd bet if it were a cancer that affected men, an appropriate array of tests would have been devised. I know it's not his fault, but it's pretty scary, especially for those of us like me for whom my ovaries were frequently blown up like balloons from the Pergonal!:bang:

Kind of confirms what has been suspected for a long time. The bad news is that it is the fifth leading cancer in women(without confirming this myself, I believe you and it sounds correct);the good news is that it is the fifth most common cancer in women and way less than the fifth leading killer of women. True, it can strike any woman with ovaries, but I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about there not being a cost effective screen if you have a benign family history and minimize your cancer risk factors. You were much more likely to have died in that awful Atlanta traffic today, if that helps put things into perspective.

Here is a nice little article courtesy of Mayo that might put you ladies at a bit of ease.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/womens-health/WO00014

You were much more likely to have died in that awful Atlanta traffic today, if that helps put things into perspective.

That's what a doctor told me when I was worried about a procedure a few years ago. He said that my chances of dying from the procedure were much less than driving in Atlanta for the procedure.

Thanks for the link regarding leading causes of death among women. Kind of puts things in perspective for me since my father dropped dead of a heart attack at 54, my blood pressure is up, and my total cholesterol level is so high that my primary physician doubled my Lipitor to 40 mg and told me to clean up my act (as in lose weight, exercise, and eat/drink healthily). I'm not gonna lie - I've been extremely stressed and depressed since my only child left for college.:yikes: I guess I should worry more about those factors than having taken a boatload of infertility drugs in the past.

Still it is scary that there is no definitive test for ovarian cancer.

I told him that I'd bet if it were a cancer that affected men, an appropriate array of tests would have been devised.

This is very sad. I worry for my mom, for my wife, for my daughter...

But honestly, ladies:
Do you really think that because men cannot get ovarian cancer that this is why science has not yet given us a test?

I shared your posting with a friend who is a doctor. She said your point is ridiculous and told me I shouldn't waste my time trying to convince you otherwise. So I guess I won't...

:roll:

If it is any comfort....For those women who have breastfed..Is is believed that for each child you have breastfed, you have lowered your risk of breast and ovarian cancer by as much as 30%....AND the effect is cumulative. I always share this with the moms I counsel and in the class I teach. We all think of breastfeeding as good for the infant, but it is also beneficial for the mom!😀 I work as lactation consultant in the Atlanta area...I agree about the traffic! I say a prayer every evening that our travels of the upcoming day bring us home safely!

It's nothing to fool around with folks. My sister Paige died of stage 4 ovarian cancer with about 9 months of warning. The even sadder thing is that it usually strikes women when they are over the age of 50. She was only 30. We named our daughter after her.

It's nothing to fool around with folks. My sister Paige died of stage 4 ovarian cancer with about 9 months of warning. The even sadder thing is that it usually strikes women when they are over the age of 50. She was only 30. We named our daughter after her.

I am sorry to hear this. I should and will ask my dr., but is there any wisdom to having ovaries removed after menopause?

My sister-in-law died of ovarian cancer last year at the age of 56. Her mother died of ovarian cancer at age 52. Because my sister-in-law was at high risk she was put in a screening program at the University of Kentucky which was basically just a yearly ultrasound. Needless to say the screening program did not work.

My sister-in-law's oncologist suggested genetic counseling to see if the reason she got ovarian cancer was due to a faulty gene which was passed from her mother to her. If she tested positive for this gene (I believe it was Braca1) then her two daughters would also be tested. She agreed to the testing and it was confirmed that she had the gene. My two nieces were then tested and it was determined that they also have the gene. My nieces are age 30 and 26. The 30 year old is married and had already had all the children she wanted so she elected to have an complete hysterectomy 4 months ago to reduce her chances of getting ovarian cancer (you can still get ovarian cancer even if your ovaries are removed). She was stunned when she went in for what she thought was going to be a routine follow up from her surgery to be told that she had stage 1 ovarian cancer. She immediately started chemotherapy (last round will be in August) and her survival chances are 95%. Needless to say - if it had not been for the genetic counseling and her quick action she would have also died from this disease.

If ovarian cancer has been diagnosed in your family - I woud urge you to get genetic testing. It can save lives but only if you are willing to take what some would call "radical steps" Many people thought that my niece was over-reacting. Because of this gene she was also at risk for breast cancer and both of my niece's have had complete mastectomys followed by reconstructive surgery.

My niece has started a non-profit organization to help women get genetic testing who might otherwise not be able to afford it. Please go to her web site and read her story at www.NGTF.org.

There are some promising trials underway (blood tests) that will be able to predict ovarian cancer in its earliest (and most curable) stage. I am hoping that they will be available soon. In the meantime Beach Runner is right - no good way to diagnose this awful disease.

I am sorry to hear this. I should and will ask my dr., but is there any wisdom to having ovaries removed after menopause?

I have ask my doctor this same question and her answer was yes. I am trying to decide whether or not to have this done.

It's nothing to fool around with folks. My sister Paige died of stage 4 ovarian cancer with about 9 months of warning. The even sadder thing is that it usually strikes women when they are over the age of 50. She was only 30. We named our daughter after her.

Anybody else in your family with either breast or ovarian cancer? Even if your sister has been the only one I would urge other family members to look into gene testing. I am so sorry to hear about your sister - it is an awful disease and you are right - nothing to fool around with.

Thanks Margarita for the link to your niece's organization!

Amazingly, my mother in law is a 15 year ovarian cancer survivor.

Take good care of Mom!

Take good care of Mom!

Oh yes, we are all very thankful. She's a beautiful person. :wub:

I am very sorry for the loss of your sister. I agree that cancer is an insidious disease. It's hit my family very hard. My daddy's cancer was also Stage 1 at discovery. After surgery to remove the tumor he took chemo and radiation. He still lived less than a year. My Aunt was dignosed at Stage 4 and outlasted daddy by several years. So I know cancer doesn't follow rules.
I have yet to make sense of it all, but help me understand something if you can. You mentioned you can still get ovarian cancer even if your ovaries are removed. How is this?

Great discussion. Just a quick comment on genetic screening, it is an area of debate in the sense that if this becomes part of your medical record, you could be discriminated against by all manner of insurance companies...some legislative measures have been taken to fight this, but just be careful to consider this when genetic screening is considered. Also, genetic screening is not a panacea, it has to be taken in context with the entire health history of a patient and probably more often than not shouldn't be performed (in my opinion).

I am very sorry for the loss of your sister. I agree that cancer is an insidious disease. It's hit my family very hard. My daddy's cancer was also Stage 1 at discovery. After surgery to remove the tumor he took chemo and radiation. He still lived less than a year. My Aunt was dignosed at Stage 4 and outlasted daddy by several years. So I know cancer doesn't follow rules.
I have yet to make sense of it all, but help me understand something if you can. You mentioned you can still get ovarian cancer even if your ovaries are removed. How is this?

removing the ovaries does not always guarantee women will not develop ovarian cancer. (Rarely, the cells that cause ovarian cancer can be present in the body even after the ovaries are removed)

My doctor said that just removing the ovaries may not be enough (in rare cases). She recommends a complete hysterectomy which is also removal of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

So sorry about your Dad and Aunt.

Great discussion. Just a quick comment on genetic screening, it is an area of debate in the sense that if this becomes part of your medical record, you could be discriminated against by all manner of insurance companies...some legislative measures have been taken to fight this, but just be careful to consider this when genetic screening is considered. Also, genetic screening is not a panacea, it has to be taken in context with the entire health history of a patient and probably more often than not shouldn't be performed (in my opinion).

I think that the most important thing any of us can do is to be proactive about our health. Do your research. I agree that genetic testing is not a panacea and that the entire health history of a patient (which should also include health history of relatives) should be taken into consideration before considering genetic testing. I believe that in the case of my niece - it saved her life and for that I am so grateful.

You are also correct about possible discrimination from insurance companies. Please look at the Youtube link below to see what is being done to try and fight this in the legislature.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7RbIUmbGsg"]YouTube - The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act[/ame]

Amazingly, my mother in law is a 15 year ovarian cancer survivor.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Thanks Margarita for the link to your niece's organization!

You're welcome. I am very proud of her for using a bad situation to do good.

This is very sad. I worry for my mom, for my wife, for my daughter...

But honestly, ladies:
Do you really think that because men cannot get ovarian cancer that this is why science has not yet given us a test?

I shared your posting with a friend who is a doctor. She said your point is ridiculous and told me I shouldn't waste my time trying to convince you otherwise. So I guess I won't...

:roll:

Actually, my doctor agreed with my point (regardling sexual discrimination in medical research). He gave examples of how much medical research is done on male subjects only, and in the recent past it has been found that women's symptoms might be different than men's, such as with heart disease. I shared this conversation today with several research Ph.D.'s in biochemistry and biology, some of whom are males, and they all agreed with me.

In any case, so sorry about your family problems, Cheering, Margarita, and greenroomsurfer. But the good news is that Johnrudy's MIL is a survivor!