What you should know about Gynecologic Cancers

Check out the following, “What you should know about Gynecologic Cancers courtesy of www.upthevolume.org

Gynecologic cancers are often called silent killers because many women are not diagnosed until the later stages of the disease when treatment is less effective.  In many cases early symptoms are not distinct and no reliable early screening test exists.

Gynecologic cancers refer to cancers that affect the female reproductive organs.  These include uterine, cervical, ovarian, fallopian tube, peritoneal, vagina, and vulva cancers. Approximately 77,000 women in the
U.S. are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers each year and about 28,000 will die from them.

Treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancers is dependent on the stage and grade of disease. For some patients with disease confined to the ovaries and no spread of disease, no further treatment is
required. Standard recommendations for other patients include surgical removal of any visible spread of the disease, followed by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be delivered intravenously or directly into the peritoneal cavity. Alternative treatment plans exist for women who may not be able to tolerate an aggressive surgery due to extensive spread of cancer or to the patient’s poor health.

Patients with Stage I or Stage II disease who undergo surgery and chemotherapy have great than an 80% chance for long-term survival. Unfortunately, 75-80% of women are diagnosed with Stage III or Stage IV disease. Only about 20% of patients with advanced disease can expect a long-term survival.

New cancer treatments are continually being developed and tested against standard therapies. In order for a new drug to become part of standard recommendations it must be proven to be superior to current standards through rigorous clinical trials. In addition to new therapies there are many unanswered controversies in the way Gynecologic Oncologists use known treatments.  These controversies result in treatment decisions that differ from one institution to another based on differences in physician training, philosophy, and beliefs but not on definitive evidence. Until these questions are definitively answered by large-scale clinical trials, women with gynecologic cancers will not be treated uniformly with best clinical practices and therapies.

Information courtesy of and for more information: http://www.upthevolume.org

What To Do If You Suspect Ovarian Cancer

Excellent tips from the Mayo Clinic on what to do if you suspect you have Ovarian Cancer.

Start by making an appointment with your family doctor, general practitioner or a gynecologist if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. If your primary care doctor suspects you have ovarian cancer, you may be referred to a specialist in female reproductive cancers (gynecologic oncologist). A gynecologic oncologist is an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN) who has additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.

Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
• Ask a family member or friend to join you. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions you want to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor may be limited, so preparing a list of questions before your appointment may help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For ovarian cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there any other possible causes for my symptoms?
• What kinds of tests do I need?
• What type of ovarian cancer do I have?
• What types of treatments are available, and what kinds of side effects can I expect?
• What do you feel is the best course of action?
• What is my prognosis?
• If I still want to have children, what options are available to me?
• Will I have to stop working?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

• When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
• Does anything appear to worsen your symptoms?
• Do you have any relatives with ovarian or breast cancer? Are there other cancers in your family history?

Article courtesy of: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cancer/DS00293/DSECTION=preparing-for-your-appointment

What's New in Ovarian Cancer Research?

There is a lot of research being conducted on ovarian cancer. Read more about all the different approaches that researchers are taking:

Risk factors and causes


Researchers continue to study the genes involved in ovarian cancer -- how they normally work and how changes can lead to cancer. In the future, this research could lead to new drugs to prevent and treat certain types of ovarian cancer.


Prevention


New knowledge about how much BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene changes increase ovarian cancer risk is helping women make decisions about prevention. For instance, there are mathematical models that help estimate how many years of life an average woman with a BRCA gene change might gain by having both ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to prevent ovarian cancer from starting. But it should be kept in mind that although doctors can predict the average outcome of a group of many women, they still can't predict the outcome for any one woman.


Other studies are testing new drugs to reduce ovarian cancer risk. Researchers are always looking for clues such as lifestyle, diet, and medicines that may alter the risk of ovarian cancer.


Finding ovarian cancer early


Better methods for finding ovarian cancer early could have a great impact on the cure rate. A national "bank" for blood and tissue samples from women with ovarian cancer is being set up. This will allow researchers to look for patterns of blood proteins in women with ovarian cancer. This might help them find new ways to screen for ovarian cancer.


Two large studies of screening tests were done in the United States and the United Kingdom. Both studies looked at using the CA-125 blood test along with ovarian ultrasound to find ovarian cancer. These studies have found early cancers in some women. But it is not known whether the outcomes for these women have been improved compared with women who haven't had the screening.


A test called OVA1 is meant to be used in women who have an ovarian tumor. It measures the levels of certain proteins in the blood. The levels of these proteins, when looked at together, are used to put women with tumors into 2 groups: low risk and high risk. The women who are labeled low risk are not likely to have cancer. The women who are called high risk are more likely to have a cancer, and so should have surgery done by an expert (a gynecologic oncologist). This test is NOT a screening test - it is only meant for use in women who have an ovarian tumor.


Tumor markers


Some women with epithelial ovarian cancer have normal levels of the tumor marker CA125. In these women, the only way to tell whether treatment is working (or to see if the cancer has come back) is to do tests like CT scans. Experts have found that in many women with ovarian cancer, the blood level of a protein called HE4 is increased. If you have ovarian cancer and a normal CA125 level, your doctor may decide to check the HE4 level. If it is high, it can be used instead of CA125 to guide treatment.


Treatment


Research into treatment includes testing methods now in use as well as finding new treatments.


New chemo combinations which may help treat cancers that resist current treatments are always being studied. Studies are also looking at using targeted therapy drugs to fight ovarian cancer.


There are enzymes that have been found that act to control cell survival and cell death. Drugs that work against these enzymes help fight cancers caused by mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. These drugs may make cancers in women without BRCA mutations respond better to radiation treatment and some kinds of chemo. Clinical trials are in going on to find out whether these drugs will improve outcomes for ovarian cancers in women without BRCA mutations.


Other treatments are being studied. These include ways to slow down the growth of the cancer cells. Another approach is to make tumor vaccines that program the immune system to better spot cancer cells. Also, monoclonal antibodies that find and attack ovarian cancer cells are being developed. Monoclonal antibodies are like the antibodies our bodies make to fight infection. But these are made in the lab and are aimed at the cancer cells.


Treatments that are given after first line therapy to prevent the cancer from coming back (this is called consolidation therapy) are being studied in clinical trials. Some of these on-going studies are testing chemo, growth factor inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.

Read more http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/OvarianCancer/OverviewGuide/ovarian-cancer-overview-new-research

What To Do (And Not Do) When Someone You Work With Has Cancer

When someone you know has cancer, it can be difficult to know what to say or how to act. You feel like no matter what you say, it will be the wrong thing: either you were flippant and said something insensitive, or you were so focused on the disease that you made the person uncomfortable. When all of this is happening in a work setting, with deadlines, priorities, and obligations in the mix, it can be even more difficult.

When you don't know how to act, use this handy list of basic do`s and don`ts to help you out:

DO:

• Take your cues from the person with cancer. Some people are very private while others will talk more about their illness. Respect the person's need to share or their need for privacy.
• Let them know that you care.
• Respect their decisions about how their cancer will be treated, even if you disagree.
• Include the person with cancer in usual work projects and social events. Let him or her be the one to tell you if the commitment is too much to manage.
• Listen without always feeling that you have to respond. Sometimes a caring listener is what the person needs the most.
• Expect your colleague to have good days and bad days, emotionally and physically.
• Keep your relationship as normal and balanced as possible. While greater patience and compassion are called for during times like these, your colleague should continue to respect your feelings, as you respect his or her feelings.
• Offer to help in concrete, specific ways 
• Check before doing something for your co-worker, no matter how helpful you think you are being.
• Keep them up-to-date with what's happening at work.
• Send cards, and include anecdotes about why they are missed. If people send individual cards, they may have more impact.

DON'T:

• Offer advice they don't ask for, or be judgmental.
• Assume that he or she can't do the job. Your co-worker needs to feel like a valuable, contributing member of your company or department.
• Feel you must put up with serious displays of temper or mood swings. You shouldn't accept disruptive or abusive behavior just because someone is ill.
• Take things too personally. It's normal for your co-worker to be quieter than usual, to need time alone, and to be angry at times.
• Be afraid to talk about the illness.
• Always feel you have to talk about cancer. Your colleague may enjoy conversations that don't involve the illness.
• Be afraid to hug or touch your friend if that was a part of your friendship before the illness.
• Be patronizing. (Try not to use a "How sick are you today?" tone when asking how he or she is doing.)
• Tell your co-worker, "I can imagine how you must feel," because you really can't.

Source: http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/UnderstandingYourDiagnosis/TalkingaboutCancer/WhenSomeoneYouWorkWithHasCancer/when-someone-you-work-with-has-cancer-basic-dos-and-donts 

Listen to the Whispers

Every year, more than 21,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 14,600 women will die from the disease. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that ovarian cancer is the fifth leading
cause of cancer-related deaths for women ages 35 – 74. But when ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated in its early stages, the 5-year survival rate tops 90 percent. Ninety percent! Unfortunately, only 19 percent
of all cases are found at an early stage. That’s because many of the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer can be subtle, vague or “explained away” as symptoms of other illnesses. Ovarian cancer whispers – it rarely shouts. That’s why it’s so important to learn about the disease, its signs and symptoms, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Laurel Auto Group Charity Golf Classic is a proud to sponsor Listen to the Whispers. We encourage you to learn as much about this disease as possible, as well as other women’s cancers. And if you suspect that something might be wrong, listen to the whispers. Pick up the phone and call your doctor. Don’t wait. It’s a call that just might save your life.

The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be very subtle, especially in the early stages. They don’t shout out at you. Instead, they tend to whisper. Learn to recognize these
common symptoms of ovarian cancer:

• Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort. Persistent pain in your back, pelvic area or abdomen can signal ovarian cancer. Don’t ignore it!
• Back pain
• Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion
• Frequent and/or urgent need to urinate in the absence of an infection.  A change in your bowel habits isn’t just a symptom of colon cancer. It can also signal ovarian cancer.
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
• Ongoing unusual fatigue
• Constipation or unexplained changes in bowel habits
• Menstrual changes

If symptoms continue for more than two weeks, contact your physician.

A life-saving legacy

In 2000, Ann Smith, an energetic and vivacious 50-year-old woman from the Johnstown area, was diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer. Shortly after her diagnosis, Ann and her family organized
the first Laurel Auto Group Pro-Am Charity Golf Classic to help raise awareness about ovarian cancer. Ann lost her valiant fight against this silent disease in 2002. But her unwavering commitment
to helping others learn about ovarian cancer lives on, stronger today than ever before. In July, the Charity Golf Classic celebrated its 10th anniversary. Through the years, this community event has
raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help area women, health care professionals and others become more educated about ovarian cancer. Listen to the Whispers is just one way that,
together, we’re all working to bring Ann’s vision to life.

 

For more information on ovarian cancer please visit: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/ovarian