Hello to all my friends here on the OC link:
So many of our friends come here with heavy hearts and worries wishing they could find a helpful source of information. We’ve every right to be concerned when all of a sudden we experience abrupt changes in our physical bodies that can’t be explained by the normal “aging” process. Soon I’ll be 79, and ladies, some things fall in the category of “what was once up—now is falling down!” 
(Yes that covers "skin & boobs")--But younger women won’t understand that till they're old enough to begin to experience the “ravages of time.” 
But it behooves us to distinguish between what is likely a gradual deterioration of what was once our young, vibrant healthy bodies and one with some added poundage and more than a few wrinkles to say nothing of a thinning head of hair or no hair at all. So here are two helpful sources that I’m keeping in my research file. As is so true, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”—the informed woman can demand more testing and more answers if she is “armed with basic facts.” So that’s the reason for this separate topic. It’s a “keeper!”
The Lord has blessed me with a lifespan twice as long as I expected when I was diagnosed back in November of 2012 with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis first and then as a result of a SECOND opinion, Ovarian cancer as well. So my diagnosis was terminal from the start. However, competent sources of information like the two below have provided me with enough information that I can carry on intelligent conversations with all my nurses and doctors. They respect me for that and my oncologist always takes the time to listen to ALL my complaints, and seeks to help in any way he can. He’s never failed to order scans, x-rays, provide good medication, etc. for me. He actually draws diagrams for me, prints out any part of my past medical record that I might wish to review, takes seriously ALL my pains, etc. He says, "I don't just go by your CA-125 readings, I go by what you tell me about how you feel!" I would wish that each of you would be able to have the same type of compassionate oncologist. And seeking the services of a gynecologic/oncologist will assure you that your doctor is highly trained and will be able to find the cause of your concerns.
So here are two good sources of information that cover a wide range of gynecological cancers.
Loretta – age 79 as of 2-12-18 – DX Peritoneal Carcinomatosis & Stage IV Ovarian Cancer November 2012, but still surviving by the grace of God
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1. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge/pdf/cdc_gyn_comprehensive_brochure.pdf
“ABOUT THIS BOOKLET - This booklet was developed in support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer campaign.
The campaign helps women get the facts about gynecologic cancer by providing important “inside knowledge” about their bodies and health. As you read this booklet, you will learn about the different types of gynecologic cancer. These are cancers that affect the female reproductive organs.
They include cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
You will find information on:
2. Signs, symptoms, and risk factors related to each gynecologic cancer.
3. What you can do to help prevent gynecologic cancer.
4. What to do if you have symptoms.
5. What to do if you think you may be at increased risk for developing a gynecologic cancer.
6. Questions to ask your doctor.
Each year, about 89,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. While all women are at risk for developing gynecologic cancers, few will ever develop one. Still, it is important to know the signs because there is no way to know for sure who will get a gynecologic cancer.
The information included in this booklet will help you recognize warning signs so you can ask your health care provider about them. These signs and symptoms often are related to something other than gynecologic cancer. But it is important for your overall health to know what is causing them. Important words to know appear in italics and are defined in the glossary at the back of the booklet…
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Gynecologic cancer overview
5 Gynecologic cancer symptoms
6 Questions to ask your doctor
7 Cervical cancer
10 Ovarian cancer
14 Uterine cancer
16 Vaginal cancer
18 Vulvar cancer
19 Gynecologic cancer diagnosis
20 Glossary
21 Resources…”
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2. https://medlineplus.gov/ovariancancer.html
[My note: Just decided to copy the page because it seems every topic is covered. Place your cursor on any topic and that link will come up and provide more info. The “basics” are a good place to begin. Loretta]
“Ovarian Cancer -
On this page - Basics
§ Summary
§ Symptoms
Learn More
§ Genetics
See, Play and Learn
§ Images
Research
Resources
For You
Summary
The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. They produce a woman's eggs and female hormones. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond.
Cancer of the ovary is not common, but it causes more deaths than other female reproductive cancers. The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better your chance for recovery. But ovarian cancer is hard to detect early. Women with ovarian cancer may have no symptoms or just mild symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage. Then it is hard to treat. Symptoms may include
- A heavy feeling in the pelvis
- Pain in the 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
To diagnose ovarian cancer, doctors do one or more tests. They include a physical exam, a pelvic exam, lab tests, ultrasound, or a biopsy. Treatment is usually surgery followed by chemotherapy.
NIH: National Cancer Institute
Start Here
General Information About Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer (National Cancer Institute)
- Ovarian Cancer (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Ovarian Cancer Fact Sheet (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
- Ovarian Cancer FAQ (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)Also in Spanish
- What Is Ovarian Cancer? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
Symptoms
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Diagnosis and Tests
- Abdominal exploration - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Can Ovarian Cancer Be Found Early? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
- How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
- How Is Ovarian Cancer Staged? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
- Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Screening (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing for BRCA-Related Cancer in Women (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) - PDF
- Screening for Ovarian Cancer (American College of Physicians) - PDF
- Stages of Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Stages of Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Can Ovarian Cancer Be Prevented? (American Cancer Society)
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) (American Society of Clinical Oncology)Also in Spanish
- Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Prevention (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Prophylactic Oophorectomy: Preventing Cancer by Surgically Removing Your Ovaries(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
- What Are the Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
- Drugs Approved for Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer (National Cancer Institute)
- Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Treatment (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Radiation Therapy for Gynecologic Cancers (American Society for Radiation Oncology) - PDF
- Treatment for Stromal Tumors of the Ovary (American Cancer Society)
- Treatment Option Overview (Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer) (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Treatment Option Overview (Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors) (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Treatment Option Overview (Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors) (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Treatment Options by Stage (Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer) (National Cancer Institute)
- Treatment Options By Stage (Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors) (National Cancer Institute)
- Treatment Options for Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors (National Cancer Institute)
Living With
- Cancer and Stress (Foundation for Women's Cancer)
- Ovarian Cancer: Nutrition (Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology)
- What Will Happen After Treatment for Ovarian Cancer? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Cancer Treatment for Women: Possible Sexual Side Effects(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
- Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Ovarian Cancer: Still Possible After Hysterectomy?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
- Risks of Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancer Screening (National Cancer Institute)
- Talcum Powder and Cancer (American Cancer Society)
- What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Ovarian Cancer? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
Specifics
- General Information about Ovarian Epithelial Cancer (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- General Information about Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- General Information about Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumors (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Primary Peritoneal Cancer (Foundation for Women's Cancer)
Genetics
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF
- BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Family History Risk Categories(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Do We Know What Causes Ovarian Cancer? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
- Does Breast or Ovarian Cancer Run in Your Family?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)Also in Spanish
- Genetic Counseling and Evaluation for BRCA1/2 Testing(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Genetics Home Reference: ovarian cancer (National Library of Medicine)
Images
- Ovarian Cancer Stage I (National Cancer Institute)
- Ovarian Cancer Stage II (National Cancer Institute)
- Ovarian Cancer Stage IIIC (National Cancer Institute)
- Ovarian Cancer Stage IV (National Cancer Institute)
Videos and Tutorials
Scarless Hysterectomy (BroadcastMed) - Baptist Hospital, Miami, FL, 10/17/2013
Statistics and Research
- NIH Study Finds Regular Aspirin Use May Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk (National Cancer Institute)
- Ovarian Cancer Statistics (National Cancer Institute)
- What Are the Key Statistics about Ovarian Cancer? (American Cancer Society)
- What's New in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment? (American Cancer Society)Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Ovarian Neoplasms (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer.
- Article: Guidance Statement On BRCA1/2 Tumor Testing in Ovarian Cancer Patients.
- Article: Teratoma-associated anti-NMDAR encephalitis: Two cases report and literature review.
- Ovarian Cancer -- see more articles
Reference Desk
- Dictionary of Cancer Terms (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Normal Female Reproductive Anatomy (National Cancer Institute)
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society
- Find a Cancer Doctor (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Find a Gynecologic Oncologist (Foundation for Women's Cancer)
- National Cancer Institute Also in Spanish
- NCI Designated Cancer Centers (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- Organizations That Offer Support Services (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
- womenshealth.gov (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- CA-125 blood test (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Ovarian cancer (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
- Ovarian Cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDFAlso in Spanish
- Understanding Chemotherapy (National Cancer Institute) - PDFAlso in Spanish
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