Bad news for women

[Beach Runner]

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!

 

[raven]

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!

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?

 

[Beach Runner]

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.

 

[DuneAHH]

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

 

[30A Skunkape]

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!

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.

 

[30A Skunkape]

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

 

[Beach Runner]

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. 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.

 

[Geo]

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:

 

[Ti-da]

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!

 

[greenroomsurfer]

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.