The seven-time Olympic medalist and ovarian cancer survivor shares her story and advice for those enduring similar struggles.
Why is it more important than ever to educate women about ovarian cancer?
It’s important to educate women about ovarian cancer because all too often it’s caught at a later stage. Early detection saves lives and gives us more options. However, if we don’t know the signs and symptoms like I didn’t before my own diagnosis, we ignore seemingly benign issues like stomach aches, bloating, sudden weight loss, feeling full after eating a small amount of food (known as early satiety), and frequent urination. I also hope that the men in our lives learn the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. We’re all part of the team when it comes to our health and fighting ovarian cancer.
What was it like being diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer?
It was at a routine appointment — one that I had almost canceled — when my doctor discovered a baseball-sized cyst on my left ovary during a pelvic exam. Initially, we had no idea what specifically we were dealing with. Was it benign? Would it go away on its own? Was it cancer? If so, had it spread? My world stopped. As a new mother, my biggest fear was that my son wouldn’t have a mother.
Over the next several weeks, I went through various tests and scans that eventually led to surgery to remove the mass. After the surgery, I learned it was a rare form of ovarian cancer, but they had caught it early. However, I would need to go through an aggressive form of chemotherapy to give me the best chance of non-recurrence.
During this journey, I’ve felt every emotion: fear, confusion, sadness, gratefulness, uncertainty, and so many others. I still have a difficult time understanding how I didn’t know that there was something this significant inside me. Once I began to recover from chemotherapy, I wanted to use any voice I had to help bring awareness to ovarian cancer — the importance of early detection, research, and survivorship.
What do you want to say to newly diagnosed women?
You are not alone. I think that may be one of the most important things to remember, and sometimes it’s hard to remember. Early on, I felt the need to do this myself. I didn’t want to be a burden or complain and make others uncomfortable. However, through the process, I learned a very important lesson: There is strength in not only accepting help when offered but also in asking for help when needed. You are not alone.
What resources are available that you wish more women knew about?
Get to know and love your nurse navigators! They are there to navigate your care by providing you with answers about your diagnosis and treatment. They coordinate your care by helping to get timely appointments, connect you with support services, and offer emotional support during this difficult time. They also have access to local support groups and foundations. Foundations provide services to help ease the burden patients often feel. Some of the services they provide are transportation assistance by donating gas cards, emotional support through support groups for not only the patient but also their caregivers, and donating supplies that often reduce the side effects of treatment.
What is the biggest challenge surrounding ovarian cancer?
Early detection is still a huge challenge. Women may not feel any physical symptoms until the cancer has progressed. That’s why, until there is a specific test for early detection, it’s critical to pay attention to your body and to keep your regular exams and screenings. Most importantly, be aware of the signs and symptoms, and feel confident to speak up when something feels off with your body.
