SC is really all about charity work, and having fun in the process. I'm officially not on any boards for 2010. I got burned out. I need a year to just be a guest not on the committee working. Plus, I really want to try to finish my next novel and raise money for a Foundation I've started. Don't forget I'm willing to donate books and lend support-I just donated to The Junior League in Philadelphia. But I'm getting off topic.
Entertaining House has a SIL who is losing her battle with Ovarian Cancer. Ladies this affects us in a silent deadly way. So I want to share some of her blog with you. Please find the entire post here Click here
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors:
Studies have found the following risk factors for ovarian cancer:
Family history of cancer: Women who have a mother, daughter, or sister with ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease. Also, women with a family history of cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum may also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Personal history of cancer: Women who have had cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Age over 55: Most women are over age 55 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer
Never pregnant: Older women who have never been pregnant have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Health and lifestyle: Ovarian cancer is more prevalent in North American and European white Caucasian females because their diets are higher in animal fats.
Likewise being overweight and obesity are contributing factors.
The Following are Ovarian Cancer Symptoms:
<!-----------------------> Early ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:
- Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs
- A swollen or bloated abdomen
- Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
- Feeling very tired all the time
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling the need to urinate often
- Unusual vaginal bleeding (heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause)
On a much lighter note: I'm going to see It's Complicated tonight with Husband and our friends. Nancy Meyer is my new BFF-she just doesn't know it yet!
xoxo
SC
This is such a scary disease because it can go undetected for SO LONG. :S I really appreciate you putting up info about ovarian cancer. Better be safe than sorry...
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip Beth!
ReplyDeleteThanks sooo much for posting it Beth!
ReplyDeleteI really want to get the word out. If my post can help even just one person then it will be worth it.
My SIL wants to go home but the hospice won't agree to her iv fluids at home... they consider it as "treatment." Ridiculous!
We need to have testing for OC as a regular part of our annual gyn visit. We all need to mention this to our docs as well.
Have fun at the movies tonight!
Thanks for drawing attention to this horrific disease. Who knows what lives could be saved.
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip and may God bless ya, dear lady!
Great shoutout for something that could affect any of us! Have so so much fun in NYC tomorrow!! New Years resolutions aside, have a cupcake for me! They don't get any better than in the city!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth - very scary stuff...I had a friend in high school who was diagnosed at 21 I believe...fortunately she made it...and I knew another girl at my old church who passed away at 27 from it - leaving a husband and 2 young boys...very sad indeed. We all need to fight for a cure!
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that too. My SIL had uterine cancer when she was 30.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad for that family. It's really a silent disease. One doesn't know they have it for some time.
ReplyDeleteHave fun a the movies! And come to think of it Nancy Meyer would be awesome directing Social Climbers the Movie ;) I'm serious! She did Private Benjamin and other light hearted movies. Just saying here *wink*
have fun in the Big Apple!!
ReplyDeleteHow scary...
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting.
Thanks for the information. Getting the word out is very important.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this info...
ReplyDeleteI had no idea-a couple of these symptoms..
thanks
OOOoooo NYC! My fave!
ReplyDeleteHad I known I couldve caught a teensie flight down for the weekend to hang out with you!
Beth:
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for calling attention to this disease! Ever since my diagnosis, I've been trying to spread the word that IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE. I was young, healthy, fit, and had no family history of cancer of any kind, and now here I am, fighting away. Tell all your friends, and report any suspicious symptoms right away!
And if you're looking for a great read, check out the blog of a sassy no-holds-barred Ovarian cancer patient: www.carcinista.com.
Have fun in the City!
Sarah
What kind of testing do they do for Ovarian cancer?
ReplyDeleteHave fun on your trip!
ReplyDeleteYou are a good blend, Beth! I am continually amazed at the blog friendships that are forged and nurtured online...
ReplyDeleteThanks for reposting this. I read the Entertaining House as well, and I find her story so touching, and tragic.
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip! Make sure you post photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see someone using their blog's popularity for good!
ReplyDeleteThere are very few good tests for ovarian cancer. The blood test that's used the most is the CA-125, but unfortunately there are MANY false positives, including menstruation, pregnancy, fibroids, endometriosis, intestinal upset, etc. etc. A history of symptoms is the most accurate way to judge what the severity of a positive blood test is, and then usually ultrasound or MRI follows. But those, too, can be inconclusive, and the only real way to tell what's happening is laparoscopic surgery.
ReplyDeleteKeep tabs on your body is my best advice; if you have any of these symptoms, DON'T explain them away or put off seeing your OB/Gyn. www.ovationsforthecure.com has great information on things to watch for, too, and questions to ask your doctor once you see her.
Stay well,
Sarah
www.carcinista.com
So happy you posted this as well. I read Entertaining's Mom post the other day and thought it was extremely important for all of us women to read about!
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip to NYC XOXO
this is the worst one because it's hard to detect and the symptoms are so common, so even women who don't have it have to worry about it!
ReplyDeleteyay you'll definitely love new york!
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately have two people in my life suffereing from this. I hope you have a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteI'm involved with Junior League of Northern VA and love all the charity work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the info Beth, and have a great trip!
ReplyDeletethanks for this information sooooooo important !
ReplyDeleteHave a nice trip
AND I TAG YOU ON MY BLOG
Thanks for sharing this info. That way we can all be informed and keep an eye on our moms, sisters and friends!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know all of this--thanks for the public service announcement. That is awesome of you to push your fame and fortune to advance worthy causes. You are my heroine!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy NYC and that movie!
I hope you enjoyed It's Complicated! I loved it and want to see it again!
ReplyDeleteCancer sucks. It really does.
Thanks so much for posting this! My mom is a 6 year ovarian cancer SURVIVOR.
ReplyDeleteOvarian cancer kills far too many women because they don't know the symptoms. If even just one person read this and found out the symptoms so they know what to look for, it was worth it! Thank you!