WALK OF HOPE
On September 12, I will be joining thousands people across Canada to walk to raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer. Like many, the reason is personal; my best friend lost her mother to ovarian cancer when she was a teenager. So I’d like to take a minute to talk about this disease.

Here are some facts directly from Ovarian Cancer Canada:

Ovarian cancer is the most serious of all gynecological cancers. Over 2500 Canadian women are diagnosed every year; and every year 1700 women succumb to this disease. Symptoms are varied, vague and easily missed.

There is a lifetime risk of 1 in 70 that you will develop ovarian cancer.

Many doctors are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and fail to consider it as a possible diagnosis.

When found early - and treated - ovarian cancer survival rate is 90%.

Failure to find the disease in its early stages is partly due to (i) lack of sensitive detection tests and (ii) health care providers and even women themselves may ignore warning symptoms.

A Pap smear does not detect ovarian cancer.

HPV vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer, not ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer rates rise after menopause, peaking from age 60-75, although it can occur at any age.

The hereditary form, found in families where many close relatives have had breast and/or ovarian cancer, tends to occur at an earlier age.

Pretty sobering, eh?

What’s so deadly about this form of cancer is that the symptoms are vague and generic. It’s hard to recognize what’s wrong and the symptoms are often overlooked as just a cold, or flu, or aging, or something else that is not so serious. I don’t think it’d be good for us to get anxious over every little thing and automatically suspect the worst either. But I do think that we all could use paying a little closer attention to our bodies.

Have you ever noticed how much time we spend ignoring our body’s needs? For example, “Hold it just 2 more minutes!!”, “I need an extra coffee to stay awake” and, “Of course I’m fine to - ACHOO! - go to work.” I wonder how many of us stop to do the opposite - pay close attention to our bodies - often enough? I wonder too how many of us act if we feel something’s not quite right, and not put it off to some other time when we’re less busy or shrug it off as unimportant?

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer? Again, I defer to Ovarian Cancer Canada:

There is no one specific symptom for ovarian cancer. The symptoms are generally vague, non-specific and can be mistakenly attributed to other causes. Just because you have the symptoms, does not mean you have ovarian cancer.

Symptoms that are more severe or frequent than expected and of recent onset warrant further diagnostic investigation.

Common Warning Symptoms

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

Other symptoms…

Mass or “lump” in your pelvis that you can feel
Inability to eat normally
Pain with intercourse
Vaginal bleeding

If you have these symptoms and they persist, see your health practitioner and voice your concern.

One of the past slogans of the Winners Walk of Hope is: “Turn the whispers of this disease into a roar.” Let’s try to do just that!

If you’re interested in sponsoring me for the walk, click here.

Margaret Bailey lives in Ottawa with her husband and two cats. She believes strongly that knowledge is only useful if applied and shared. She strives to be a light to all who cross her path or walk with her awhile.