'Break the Silence' on Ovarian Cancer

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Ovarian cancer is one of the trickiest cancers to catch early on.

In fact some call it "the silent killer" because three-quarters of patients are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease.

There are a few warning signs to know about. So we visited Freeport Health Network to learn more about the fifth deadliest form of cancer for women.

Viewers told us their stories on Facebook.

Linda Gentile-Nakalamic: One of my bridesmaids passed away from ovarian cancer, 9 years ago. It wasn't a disease that many women talked about back then... and it still isn't today.

April Weidemann: My mother had cervical cancer about 10 years ago I was to young to understand then but I do now. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 months ago and now has had a double mastectomy. I truly thought she would cry and lose control but unbelievably she wants to become an advocate. Says that she hopes one person can learn from her mistake of waiting too long to be checked out.

Peg Ripley: October, 2004 - mom went to the Dr because she wasn't feeling well. February, 2005 - FINALLY diagnosed - with uterine cancer. April, 2005 - OOPS...it's ovarian cancer. July, 2005 - died. It's a terrible way to end your life on earth.

Dewaine Nelson: In June 2001 my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. For 2 years she battled with treatments. In 2003, the cancer had spread to her leg. The leg had to be removed but the cancer was licked. She survived. She is now 82.

Majority of Dr. Arshad Shaikh's ovarian cancer patients have been sick for a while without knowing it.

Diana Murray was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancers in 2008.

Murray said. "I just felt it is what it is. I can't change it: all I could do is fight it."

She sure did fight. A hysterectomy made her cancer go away. Sadly it returned three months later.

Dr. Shaikh said, "Even those with advanced disease, 80% of those will respond and even achieve a complete remission with treatment. Unfortunately within a five-year time frame, 70% do relapse."

Most ovarian cancer patients are in their 60s and have relatives with breast, uterine, or ovarian cancers and catching the disease is tough.

It?s a very insidious disease, it doesn't present with symptoms in many patients, so identifying the patients at risk as well as having good screening tools are very important, but to date there aren't any validated screening tools available.

Blood tests and ultrasounds are used to check patients that are high-risk, but an average patient usually doesn't find out until they don't feel well.

Typically the symptoms are below the abdomen: symptoms like weight gain, pain, constipation and bleeding of the urine or stools.

Diana says her symptoms were minimal. She now has less energy. She hopes her experience saves other lives.

"Please, please get checked. Don't miss a doctor's physical because it comes so fast."

Freeport memorial hospital treats most types of cancers. Some cancer-related surgeries are referred to the hospital at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Dr. Shaika says 30 percent of ovarian cancer patients are cured with a combination of chemo and surgery.

You can watch Andy's interview online with Ashley Beto from the American Cancer Society above.

Source: http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/23_News_and_Doctor_Oz_Break_the_Silence_on_Ovarian_Cancer_129739093.html

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