We trust you have had a relaxing summer holiday and that your body and soul are refreshed, uplifted and looking forward to a great fall season in support of our congregational family!! If you or someone you know would like to be visited or have a health concern or need, please call me at 291-2586. Have a wonderful September! See you at the Johnny Cash fundraiser on Sept 16th!
Carol Kostiuk – Parish Nurse.
Prevention: There is no widely available method for preventing ovarian cancer, but women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer or the presence of BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, may have their ovaries removed so the woman no longer produces estrogen. However, there may also be risks with long term hormone replacement therapy and other risks involving early menopause.
Signs and Symptoms: The symptoms are generally vague, non-specific and can be mistakenly attributed to other causes. Common warning signs are: swelling or bloating of the abdomen, pelvic discomfort or heaviness, back or abdominal pain, fatigue, gas, nausea, indigestion, change in bowel habits, emptying your bladder frequently, menstrual irregularities, weight loss or weight gain, a mass or "lump" in your pelvis that you can feel inability to eat normally, pain with intercourse or vaginal bleeding. If you have one or more of these symptoms and they persist for 3 weeks or longer, see your health practitioner immediately.
Currently, no single test can reliably detect ovarian cancer, but having several tests will help give a clearer picture. Such tests may be 1. Pelvic exam 2.Transvaginal Ultrasound 3. CA 125 Blood Test 4. CAT scan or MRI 5. Biopsy and/or exploratory surgery.
There are different grades of ovarian cancer which is described as: Borderline - Grade 0 - grows and spreads slowly, Well differentiated - Grade 1 - grows and spreads a little more quickly, Moderately differentiated - Grade 2 - grows and spreads rapidly, Poorly or undifferentiated - Grade 3 - grows and spreads very rapidly.
Stages of Ovarian cancer are dependent on the extent of the cancer. Stage1, the ovarian tumour has grown only in the ovaries and surgery is generally adequate. Stage 2, the tumor has spread beyond the ovaries to the uterus, fallopian tubes and/or other pelvic tissues. Chemotherapy is recommended post operatively. Stage 3 & 4, malignant cells have grown and spread. Aggressive surgery should be performed by a Gynecological Oncologist, including a total abdominal hysterectomy, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with omentectomy, and debulking as much tumor as is possible. All Stage III and Stage IV patients are treated with combination chemotherapy.
Surgery has the best possible outcome and is performed for the following purposes: Diagnostic - The surgeon is able to identify the nature of the mass: whether it is malignant or benign: Location - Where the disease is located, i.e. the ovaries, fallopian tube or liver; Extent - The extent of the disease; if a malignancy is found, surgery will help to find out if the disease has spread; Sample - A sample of the tumor can be taken which will enable the surgeon to find out more – the type of tumor and grade. Therapeutic - Women who undergo optimal debulking surgery – which means the cancer is removed completely or down to less than 2cm tumors have a more favorable prognosis. During surgery, the surgeon looks for all signs of cancer in the abdomen and tries to reduce as much of the tumor as possible. This makes it more likely that chemotherapy and/or radiation can kill the remaining cancer cells.
Questions to ask: 1. Before surgery: What will the operation involve? What are the risks of this kind of surgery? What will be done to keep the risks at a minimum? What kind of scar can I expect? What can I expect to feel like after surgery? How long will I need to stay in the hospital after surgery? What kind of medication will I have for pain? If someone is waiting for me to come out of surgery, where do they wait and how are they notified? 2. After surgery: Where has the cancer been found? What organs have been removed? How will this affect me? When can you tell me about the grade and stage of cancer? What do you recommend for further treatment? What changes in my body can I expect in the weeks after surgery? When will I be able to carry on with normal activities after surgery – such as driving the car, going to work, lifting heavy objects, caring for children, and so on? What possible complications from surgery should I be aware of once I get home?
Complementary therapies and treatments might help you regain a sense of balance and perspective in your life. While many of these treatments have not been scientifically proven to be effective, many feel that they do offer very real psychological and physical benefits for many women with ovarian cancer, in conjunction to mainstream treatments. There are many different approaches to wellness. There is no "right" way or method. You are in charge and you are the best person to think about what makes sense for your own individual needs.