Ovarian Cancer-Listening to the whispers

Oct 21, 2010

Photo: Pam Lemke and Sharon Macfarlane

In an effort to raise awareness of the early symptoms and risks of ovarian cancer and to encourage its early detection, the Land O' Lakes Community Services (LOLCS) in Northbrook hosted a talk called “Listen to the Whispers”.

Pam Lemke, the community support coordinator for LOLCS, introduced guest speaker and ovarian cancer survivor Sharon Macfarlane who is also a volunteer with Ovarian Cancer Canada and has been lecturing about ovarian cancer for over two years. Macfarlane addressed the over 20 women who came out to learn more about the cancer that kills 1500 women per year in Canada and sees 2500 new cases diagnosed here every year.

The most worrisome thing about ovarian cancer is that its symptoms tend to be non-specific and therefore either go unnoticed or get misdiagnosed. In Macfarlane's words, “The symptoms can be extremely subtle and can be easily masked so our whole aim here is to turn up the volume and spread the word among women so that they can be vigilant about their own health.”

The symptoms of ovarian cancer can include any of the following: bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain and /or back pain, fatigue, nausea, indigestion or flatulence, weight gain or loss, menstrual irregularities and others. These symptoms can often mimic those of menopause, irritable bowel syndrome, non ulcer dyspepsia, stress and depression. This can result in a late diagnosis, which can make the disease fatal, with survival rates falling to just 20%.

Women who have persistent symptoms that last longer than three weeks are encouraged to visit their doctors and can request a number of diagnostic tests that include a bimanual recto-vaginal pelvic exam, a trans-vaginal ultrasound and certain blood tests like the CA-125.

Early detection is key and can lead to an 85-90% chance of survival rate for those diagnosed. It was with that in mind that Sharon Macfarlane told her story of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer 11 years ago at the age of 56.

“I lived a very healthy life and was under the impression that there was no cancer in my family, so in May of 1999 I when I noticed that I was thickening through the waist I was not too worried.

At the beginning of June, Macfarlane experienced a sharp pain in her right side and was nauseous and went to emergency. X-rays were done; she was told she was constipated, and was given an enema and sent home. Her family doctor recommended more tests and x-rays, which also came back inconclusive. A month later the same kind of pain returned and Sharon was admitted to emergency and underwent a number of other expensive tests, with still no conclusive results.

Before she left the hospital a young resident doctor came in and found a third test that had been overlooked. The results of that test led her family doctor to request an ultrasound, which detected a uterine mass.

She was then sent to an oncologist and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on July 29. She underwent surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy and since then has “never looked back”.

Macfarlane's story reiterates the importance of women listening to the signs and being the number one advocates for their own health.

Her story is typical of many who have luckily survived the disease as a result of their own observations and perseverance.

Included in Macfarlane's presentation was a video about the disease where survivors told of their experiences and specialists spoke of the great need for early detection.

The video highlighted the risk factors, which are age and menopausal status with the disease striking most often women between the ages 50 and 79, and women with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer.

Preventative measures include 1-5 years of taking oral contraceptives, breast-feeding and the removal of ovaries for women deemed at high risk

Common myths about ovarian cancer were also debunked. Annual pap tests do not screen for the disease and hysterectomies do not necessarily include the removal of the ovaries.

Macfarlane's message came through loud and clear. Women need to listen to their bodies and are best prepared when armed with knowledge so they can act as their own best health advocates and know what they need to do should any of these symptoms arise.

In the near future Pam Lemke plans to take the same volunteer training program so that she can continue to spread the word in the local community. For more information visit www.ovariancanada.org