As I talked about in my KosAbility on Wednesday, my mom was diagnosed in October with ovarian cancer, at first, and then the diagnosis was changed to uterine or cervical cancer, they never did figure out which was the primary cancer. It was so advanced when she got diagnosed that it was inoperable. She had two chemotherapy treatments, for symptom control, but they were only of limited help and then no help, so they were discontinued. She died December 17th, the day after the 8 year anniversary of my dad's death, also from cancer.
This diary will be fairly simple, because my point is DON'T IGNORE SYMPTOMS. While I was 3,000 miles away, Mom ignored symptoms for MONTHS, because she was afraid of going to the doctor, in part because she knew that what was going on was serious. She was someone who needed to be in control, because she had had very little control over much of what went on in her life when she was young, so going to see the doctor, and the giving up of control that would mean, was extremely scary to her.
KosAbility is a community diary series posted at 5 PM ET every Sunday and Wednesday by volunteer diarists. This is a gathering place for people who are living with disabilities, who love someone with a disability, or who want to know more about the issues surrounding this topic. There are two parts to each diary. First, a volunteer diarist will offer their specific knowledge and insight about a topic they know intimately. Then, readers are invited to comment on what they've read and/or ask general questions about disabilities, share something they've learned, tell bad jokes, post photos, or rage about the unfairness of their situation. Our only rule is to be kind; trolls will be spayed or neutered.
The symptoms began as not having as much energy as usual, including not being able to walk the block and a half to her bus stop without stopping to rest. This progressed to not being able to keep food down, almost any food. Any food she was able to eat came right back up again, every day. She began to mentally prepare to go to the doctor, bracing for what was to come. This went on for months. On October 3rd, she bought up the food she had eaten, but this time there was blood. She knew this couldn't wait, so without telling anyone she went to the local clinic, and the doctor there, after examining her and listening to what she told him, sent her to the emergency room. From there it was a work week to her first diagnosis, and then she was transferred to the BC Cancer Agency, where she died. As I said in the first diary, Mom had two regrets in her life: 1) Not going to Woodstock, and 2) Not going to the doctor to have her symptoms checked out much, much more quickly. Please, DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU !
DON'T LET FEAR KILL YOU !
Here are some of the symptoms of gynecological cancers that the US National Institutes of Health talk about on their web sites:
Ovarian Cancer
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/...
Symptoms may include:
Heavy feeling in pelvis
Pain in lower abdomen
Bleeding from the vagina
Weight gain or loss
Abnormal periods
Unexplained back pain that gets worse
Gas, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
Cervical Cancer
Symptoms
Early cervical cancers usually don’t cause symptoms. When the cancer grows larger, women may notice abnormal vaginal bleeding:
Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods
Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam
Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before
Bleeding after going through menopause
Women may also notice…
Increased vaginal discharge
Pelvic pain
Pain during sex
Cervical cancer, infections, or other health problems may cause these symptoms. A woman with any of these symptoms should tell her doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV:
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are common viruses that can cause warts. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most are harmless, but about 30 types put you at risk for cancer. These types affect the genitals and you get them through sexual contact with an infected partner. They are classified as either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts. High-risk HPV can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus in women. In men, it can lead to cancers of the anus and penis.
Although some people develop genital warts from HPV infection, others have no symptoms. Your health care provider can treat or remove the warts. In women, Pap smears can detect changes in the cervix that might lead to cancer.
Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading HPV. A vaccine can protect against several types of HPV, including some that can cause cancer.
NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
As mentioned, there is a vaccine, called Gardasil, that can prevent HPV. There is controversy about this vaccine, so doing your research about it and talking with your doctor about it is a good idea.
Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer may cause vaginal discharge or bleeding that is not normal for you. Bleeding may be abnormal because of how heavy it is or when it happens, such as after you have gone through menopause, between periods, or any other bleeding that is longer or heavier than is normal for you. Uterine cancer may also cause other symptoms, such as pain or pressure in your pelvis.
If you have bleeding that is not normal for you, especially if you have already gone through menopause, see a doctor right away. Also see a doctor if you have any other signs or symptoms for two weeks or longer. These things may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor.
Now, something I have only discovered by doing the research for this diary is the uterine cancer is also most often endometrial cancer, so be aware of what is said about both kinds of cancer when they are mentioned. Our resident expert and sister, Peregrine Kate, chime in on her experience with endometrial cancer.
Here is a simple chart for symptoms of the most common gynecological cancers:
http://www.cdc.gov/...
http://www.cancer.gov/...
The Risks of Cancer Related to Oral Contraceptives
Key Points
A number of studies suggest that current use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) appears to slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, especially among younger women. However, the risk level goes back to normal 10 years or more after discontinuing oral contraceptive use.
Women who use oral contraceptives have reduced risks of ovarian and endometrial cancer. This protective effect increases with the length of time oral contraceptives are used.
Oral contraceptive use is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer; however, this increased risk may be because sexually active women have a higher risk of becoming infected with human papillomavirus, which causes virtually all cervical cancers.
Women who take oral contraceptives have an increased risk of benign liver tumors, but the relationship between oral contraceptive use and malignant liver tumors is less clear.
http://www.cancer.gov/...
More specific information on the relationship between oral contraceptives and ovarian cancer.
Now, would Mom's life have been saved if she had gone to the doctor earlier ? Maybe, maybe not. The point is, we will will never know. WE WILL NEVER KNOW.
I tried to get her to the doctor for years, but she was stubborn and scared and wouldn't do it. PLEASE, don't let this be you.
PLEASE DON'T IGNORE SYMPTOMS !
PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR !