The end of ovarian cancer is within our grasp, but first Drs. Kara Long & Becky Stone have to change the entire medical system & teach fellow physicians basic female anatomy. You know. No biggie.
THANK YOU for this! As a retired oncology nurse, it has frustrated me to no end that so many women are not believed when describing their ‘vague’ abdominal symptoms to MDs and then have it turn out to be (inevitably fatal) ovarian cancer. When I had my own hysterectomy at 45, for irregular bleeding, I told my surgeon to take my ovaries too, and then dealt with abrupt-onset menopause, and then weight gain, poor sleep and osteopenia since. Wish I’d known this 23 years ago! Sharing widely!
Wow. Bless Drs Long and Stone for fighting the good fight. Since I don’t live in the US, I don’t have these ridiculous insurance discussions-- but you bet I’m going to talk to my gynecologist about this radically simple approach at my next appointment. Spread the word!
I wrote about ovarian cancer two decades ago, or probably more, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. I used to write for them fairly often in the latter '90s. Ovarian was more upsetting than most.
I would point out, though, that mammograms and colonoscopies do not prevent cancer as the article states. They are vital tools for early detection once cancer has begun.
Unfortunately breast cancer patients are in a Catch-22 - ovaries are critical for heart and bone health, as well as sex drive. On the other hand, they're also working to fuel ER+ breast cancer. Damned if you remove them, damned if you keep them.
Thank you for writing this Deborah! As someone who had ovarian cancer, this is vital info - and I can say first hand that while my OC was detected early, it had already spread to (my now dearly departed) fallopian tubes. This is a great update to such a frustratingly tricky cancer to diagnose.
Thank you so much for writing about this. As the daughter of someone who died of ovarian cancer, I am constantly chasing information to prevent getting it myself. I do have a question that I don’t seem to see addressed in any of the articles about prophylactic salpingectomy. Is it only for insurance reasons that it is suggested the surgery to be done when you are already having another surgery? With the overwhelming evidence that this is the best chance at preventing getting fallopian/ovarian cancer, why wouldn’t one just do it as a freestanding surgery?
Thank you for this. This is life-saving information! And, honestly, its nice to know there are women out there fighting for women. It gives me much needed hope. So thank you ❤️❤️❤️
THANK YOU for this! As a retired oncology nurse, it has frustrated me to no end that so many women are not believed when describing their ‘vague’ abdominal symptoms to MDs and then have it turn out to be (inevitably fatal) ovarian cancer. When I had my own hysterectomy at 45, for irregular bleeding, I told my surgeon to take my ovaries too, and then dealt with abrupt-onset menopause, and then weight gain, poor sleep and osteopenia since. Wish I’d known this 23 years ago! Sharing widely!
Wow. Bless Drs Long and Stone for fighting the good fight. Since I don’t live in the US, I don’t have these ridiculous insurance discussions-- but you bet I’m going to talk to my gynecologist about this radically simple approach at my next appointment. Spread the word!
I wrote about ovarian cancer two decades ago, or probably more, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. I used to write for them fairly often in the latter '90s. Ovarian was more upsetting than most.
This has the power to change that.
Thank you Deborah! I'm broadcasting this to my list.
Excellent information. Looking forward to a time when women are routinely advised of options like this that can be life saving.
Valuable information!
I would point out, though, that mammograms and colonoscopies do not prevent cancer as the article states. They are vital tools for early detection once cancer has begun.
Unfortunately breast cancer patients are in a Catch-22 - ovaries are critical for heart and bone health, as well as sex drive. On the other hand, they're also working to fuel ER+ breast cancer. Damned if you remove them, damned if you keep them.
Thank you for this! Will have this in hand for my next gyn visit.
Great article! I would have my fallopian tubes out tomorrow if I knew insurance would cover it.
Thank you for writing this Deborah! As someone who had ovarian cancer, this is vital info - and I can say first hand that while my OC was detected early, it had already spread to (my now dearly departed) fallopian tubes. This is a great update to such a frustratingly tricky cancer to diagnose.
Thank you so much for writing about this. As the daughter of someone who died of ovarian cancer, I am constantly chasing information to prevent getting it myself. I do have a question that I don’t seem to see addressed in any of the articles about prophylactic salpingectomy. Is it only for insurance reasons that it is suggested the surgery to be done when you are already having another surgery? With the overwhelming evidence that this is the best chance at preventing getting fallopian/ovarian cancer, why wouldn’t one just do it as a freestanding surgery?
Feeling very good right now about having had my fallopian tubes out when I had my hysterectomy! (Kept my ovaries.)
You should check this empirical science:
https://learninggnm.com/SBS/documents/i_fso.html
Can an MRI or CT scan of the Fallopian tubes show cancer before it spreads to uterus, etc? If so, I would like to have a test.
Can an MRI or CT scan of the Fallopian tubes show cancer before it spreads to uterus, etc? If so, I would like to have a test.
Thank you for this. This is life-saving information! And, honestly, its nice to know there are women out there fighting for women. It gives me much needed hope. So thank you ❤️❤️❤️
Wow.