Did you know the pap smear does not check for ovarian cancer?
Most annual exams do not include screening or a discussion about ovarian cancer. There is no accurate screening test for this deadly disease — a pap smear does not test for it. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer and the fifth-leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women.
Louisa’s story
Many people, like my late sister, Louisa — our original “amazing lady” — experienced symptoms that are easy to overlook and make diagnosis difficult. Louisa experienced increased back and pelvic pain, attributing it to a past injury and endometriosis. She had new gastrointestinal changes, such as feeling full quickly and unexplained weight gain. These were her first symptoms of ovarian cancer, and no one, not even doctors, knew it.
I remember one dinner before she was diagnosed, she couldn’t eat anything and felt like a balloon was pressing against her stomach. Louisa had prior surgeries, underwent many tests, and voiced her symptoms to doctors. The disease still went undetected because doctors don’t have the tools to detect it early. She finally received a pelvic sonogram, which revealed a suspicious mass. She soon had exploratory surgery and was diagnosed with stage 2C ovarian cancer.
When Louisa heard that the color teal symbolized ovarian cancer, she came up with the acronym, Tell Every Amazing Lady®. We started Tell Every Amazing Lady® in 2009 in her hospital room, moved to our parent’s dining room, and then in 2015 we opened the T.E.A.L.® Ovarian Cancer Community Center in Brooklyn, New York; the only of its kind in the United States. We host events, workshops, and provide free resources nationally.
We created a foundation whose mission includes all the things Louisa was looking for: a support system for ovarian cancer patients and families, a medical research program to find a screening test and improve treatment outcomes since ovarian cancer remains underfunded, a program that spreads awareness about signs and risk factors, and a wellness program for all.
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and we want everyone to Tell Every Amazing Lady® about ovarian cancer! The symptoms are vague like back pain, bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, frequent urination, gastrointestinal changes, nausea, or weight changes. We remind anyone born with ovaries to ask for a second opinion. Those with breast, colon, or any gynecological cancers in their family should consider genetic testing to learn if they might be at a higher risk for ovarian cancer. Our family has a genetic risk, so genetic testing can help save the lives of other family members.
Up until the very end, Louisa was advocating in her hospital bed, trying to help others and spread awareness. She left behind a husband and two children, but her fight lives on. Together we can save lives by ensuring that every amazing lady knows the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Learn more at TellEveryAmazingLady.org/facts
