World Ovarian Cancer Day

This is the story of a medical lady diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Please read, there is great hope for survival too, as your destiny is already decided by the one above !

Tuesday 8th May is World Ovarian Cancer Day.  It’s the one day where we come together to speak up about an often overlooked disease; a disease that kills more women than all other gynaecological cancers combined; a disease I feel that I almost miraculously survived.  

‘Miraculously’ because in 2003 I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer – only 19% of women who receive that diagnosis today will survive another five years.  

15 years later, as an ovarian cancer survivor I am supporting the campaigning efforts of research charity Ovarian Cancer Action.  To raise awareness of this devastating illness, on World Ovarian Cancer Day we will be handing out 7,400 roses across the country with cards on the stems that describe the main symptoms of ovarian cancer.  The number of roses represents the number of women diagnosed each year with the disease. At present there is no screening process for ovarian cancer. Until we have one, the main priority is to educate women on the vague symptoms of ovarian cancer that do manifest themselves. Awareness is key if we’re to catch it early; the earlier the condition is diagnosed the better the outcome. 

Nothing illustrates the truth of this more than the cold fact that a woman has a 90% chance of living for five years if diagnosed at stage 1, but only a 4% chance if diagnosed at stage 4. 

As I learnt first-hand, an early diagnosis is a relatively rare thing in the ovarian cancer community.  

I had been a nurse and a midwife but had given up work to bring up our three children.  I was a busy full time mum and as a Christian very involved in our Church. I believed it was because of this busy lifestyle that I constantly felt tired. It was only after I recovered from chemotherapy did I realise how abnormal my fatigue had been. I had also had one episode of abdominal pain. Things became more serious when I started bloating.  The bloating increased gradually over a few months, not helped by going on a diet as I initially thought it might be ‘middle aged spread’. I decided to visit the GP as I thought I might have a cyst or a fibroid.  

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The GP immediately thought I was pregnant.  As I had been a midwife and had had three children I knew I wasn’t but he insisted that I did a pregnancy test.  It was only the negative result that convinced him. At this point he ordered an urgent ultrasound scan. The scan revealed a tumour on both ovaries with cancer spots on my bowel, bladder and omentum.  I was told that I would have a full hysterectomy followed by six sessions of chemotherapy. 

Even though I had been in the medical profession the news came as a real shock.  I was in a low risk category for cancer: 40 years old, a non-smoker who did moderate exercise.  

At the time, I didn’t know of anyone that had survived ovarian cancer - my aunt had died of ovarian cancer (although there was no genetic link).  The diagnosis was stage three ovarian cancer so I knew this was advanced and that the survival rates weren’t very good. But my consultant used to say, “I deal with individuals, not statistics.”   

I knew that the medical profession would do all that they could but when I asked my husband honestly, “Do they think I’m going to die?” he answered, “They don’t know”.    

Even now there are many women who don’t make it.  This is why I have become a ‘Voice’ (someone who raises awareness of ovarian cancer) for Ovarian Cancer Action.  With one woman dying every two hours of ovarian cancer in the UK something needs to be done. It is 15 years since I was diagnosed and I’ve been discharged from medical care for eight years, which I never thought would happen.  As a Voice I give awareness talks in Wales, where survival rates are some of the poorest in the UK. I also raise money for research through cake sales, and generally support women going through treatment and beyond. 

I am so grateful that I am well and able to hopefully be an encouragement and offer hope to women being diagnosed with the disease now.  

On World Ovarian Cancer Day, I hope lots of women pick up a rose and get to know the symptoms of ovarian cancer. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/  

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All you need to know about Endometriosis

There are many campaigns and awareness programmes that run in our country that educate women about various health issues.

Endometriosis is one such condition that needs to be highlighted. Endometriosis is a medical problem or a common disorder that has emotional consequences for women. It is a disease that occurs when tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside it.

89 million young women in the reproductive age group worldwide are suffering from endometriosis. According to the Endometriosis Society of India, the estimated number of women suffering from the disorder in India is about 25 million and this number is increasing every year.

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years. a Dr. said, “You can say that it is the main reason for stomach pain and inability to conceive in women between 25 to 30 years of age. Though it’s not always the case, the condition has been linked to a higher risk for infertility because it may influence egg quality, disturbs your menstrual cycle, or might cause higher levels of inflammation.”

“In endometriosis, the tissue which appears on the womb is found growing in abnormal locations such as the ovaries or around the uterus. Every time a woman’s menstruation starts, there is bleeding also inside this tissue. As a result, thick dark blood accumulates in the ovaries and becomes cyst which is also one of the reasons for painful periods,” the Dr. added.

Pain in the lower abdomen or the pelvis is the most common symptom of endometriosis, often during or just before your period. Pain may also be felt during ovulation, while passing urine, during or after sexual intercourse, in the lower back region, in the lower back or in the legs.
Other symptoms may include:
– Diarrhea or constipation (in connection with menstruation)
– Heavy, irregular menstruation
– Chronic/recurring pelvic pain
– High blood pressure
– Coughing up blood
– Blood in the urine or the stool
– Frequent or urgent urination
– Difficult or prolonged menstruation
– Irregular bowel movements
– Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
– Nausea and vomiting (in severe cases)

Nearly 30-40% of women with endometriosis can be infertile. The endometriosis treatment depends on several factors like the age of the lady, severity of the symptoms and desire to have children.
Dr. said, “Diagnosing endometriosis is more difficult in Indian women. It generally affects the age group of 25-30 yrs but these days, it is found in the age group of 11-19 as well. So, it is very important to be aware of the symptoms of endometriosis and the treatments available for it.”
“Young women with endometriosis who want to conceive may require specialized treatments like IUI or IVF (test tube baby). If the patient is older and has had repeated surgeries, a total Hysterectomy with Oophorectomy (removing uterus and ovaries) is the final solution,” said  the Dr.

You can also go for natural treatments to treat endometriosis, such as adopting healthier eating habits – like lessening or eliminating caffeine, sugar, and alcohol and consuming organic food and supplementing essential nutrients such as Vitamin B complex may help lower your estrogen level. You can also do exercise, yoga, and meditation to improve your general and reproductive health. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                      PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                           https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                              

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         https://my crochet creations.blogspot.com/