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Ovarian cancer survivor advocates early detection
By Janice Youngwith
Arlington Heights resident Marion Mito was not alone in her silence. Like most American women, she wasn't aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer - until it was almost too late.
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| Marion Mito |
About ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer, the leading killer among women's gynecological cancers, is difficult to detect, especially in the early stages because many women are unfamiliar with its symptoms and risk factors and have never discussed them with their physicians. A key strategy in promoting increased survival rates is to know the symptoms associated with the disease. Symptoms include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, and feeling the need to urinate urgently or often.
Additional potential signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer include upset stomach or heartburn, unexplained weight loss or gain, fatigue, menstrual changes, pain during intercourse, back pain, and constipation.
Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should consult their physician, preferably a gynecologist. Persistence of symptoms is key, especially when the symptoms do not resolve with normal interventions such as diet change, exercise and rest.
More than 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. Additionally, more than 15,000 will die from ovarian cancer.
Risk factors
While the presence of one or more risk factors may increase a woman's chance of getting ovarian cancer, it does not necessarily mean she will get the disease. A woman with one or more risk factors should be extra vigilant in watching for early symptoms. Risk factors include genetic predisposition, personal or family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer, increasing age and undesired infertility.
- Source: National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
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"Since my doctors never brought the subject up, I had never considered it," says Mito, who was diagnosed last summer at age 55 with stage 4 ovarian cancer. "It was a huge shock. I had no idea I was even at risk for ovarian cancer."
Mito is not alone in her experience say officials of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, who recently mounted a "Break The Silence" campaign to raise awareness of risk, signs and symptoms.
According to a recent survey conducted by the organization, only 15 percent of women are familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer and 82 percent of those responding to the survey indicated they had never talked to their doctor about the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer. Most weren't sure what the risks or symptoms were.
Mito, a speech and language pathologist at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, says despite her health care background, she was in the dark when it came to understanding her vague symptoms. "In retrospect, I had voiced complaints for months about bloating, a gradual eight-pound weight gain, constipation, abdominal swelling, a sensation of heaviness, gas and eventual increased urinary frequency, but my gynecologist and internist never mentioned the possibility of ovarian cancer," she says.
Because she had a known increased risk for a rare form of cervical or vaginal cancer due to in-utero exposure to the drug DES during her mother's pregnancy, Mito had been closely monitored for years and saw her gynecologist on a regular basis for testing until her 40th birthday when risk diminished.
"I have since learned that being 55, of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, having a family cancer history and not having ever been pregnant, I was definitely at risk for the disease and that the type of complaints I had are classic," she says. "Ovarian cancer is called the silent killer because by the time symptoms reach the point of visiting a doctor, it's usually at an advanced stage. We missed all the signs."
Mito raised vague complaints with her gynecologist at her yearly exam to no alarm and more forcefully voiced her concerns with her internist who ordered a colonoscopy. She passed the screening with flying colors, but symptoms persisted and doctors recommended treating one of the symptoms - constipation - with increased fluids and fiber supplements.
In July, inexplicable bleeding sent her back to the doctor with more questions. The answer astounded Mito, her husband, Carl, and the couple's two adopted and grown children, Aren and Jenny. She had ovarian cancer.
Treatment included a total hysterectomy and learning of the involvement of many lymph nodes where cancer had spread. "Not all could be removed," Mito reports. "The cancer had spread to many secondary areas including the dome of my liver and to lymph nodes under my arms."
Because of the spread of her cancer outside the peritoneal cavity, Mito learned treatment options were limited.
"I was no longer a candidate for intraperitoneal chemotherapy, something which shows great promise and improved survival rates," she says. 'Instead, I needed systemic intravenous chemotherapy."
Following surgery, Mito had chemotherapy to fight the disease as part of a phase III clinical trial at the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Center for Advanced Care. She also began acupuncture and other alternative healing modalities not opposed by her physicians and sought the support of the Northbrook Cancer Wellness Center ovarian support group.
After completing chemotherapy in December, she enjoyed just over two months of remission before the cancer recurred. A new and indefinite chemotherapy regimen of Taxotere and Avastin began. "Because Taxotere can cause big time nail problems, I sit during chemo with my fingers submerged in ice buckets and my toes covered with baggies of ice during treatment," she says. "Sometimes I pretend its all part of some alternative spa treatment like a paraffin wax."
Mito has spoken along with members of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition at services of the Congregation Beth Am synagogue in Buffalo Grove. "Ovarian cancer is something that needs to be talked about so woman can be proactive and armed with information before diagnosis," Mito says.
For information and support by cancer information specialists available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, call (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
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