Hello Everybody, I, am sending this to you because either you are a female or someone close to you is. If ,it is as simple as asking for a test like this,then we all need to ask. I appreciate it being sent to me. Sara Sellers ----- Original Message ----- From: Frankie Kinderman To: Brenda Guest ; budmcharg ; Charlotte Magill ; Frankie Spalding ; Gwen Carle ; Jacki Murphy ; Marilyn Morris ; Mary Ott ; Maureen Poe ; Norma Gardner ; Sara Sellers ; Shirley Ray Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: Fw: FYI on Ovarian Cancer and helpful screening test ----- Original Message ----- From: Craig Aaron To: Christina McNitt ; Don and Joan Aaron ; Frankie Kinderman ; DEANO ISHIZAKO ; Loreen Kimble ; Tracy Gravlin Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 8:18 PM Subject: Fw: FYI on Ovarian Cancer and helpful screening test ----- Original Message ----- From: Jen Gio To: Susan Clark ; Mary Evans ; Stefanie Evans ; Stefanie Evans ; Connie McClaskey ; Connie McClaskey ; Michelle Sorensen ; Jennifer Wilson ; Oddyssey & Wes Wofford ; Katrine Moreale ; Edie Nanneman ; Kim Norman ; Judy Polick ; Niki Regan ; Melanie Sears ; Taryn ; Sue & Tim Tvelia ; Rhae Lynn ; Michelle Aaron ; Paula Crate ; Melissa Delmont ; Leslie ; John & Heather O'brien ; Sherry ; Gina Snow ; Melanie Smith ; Trish Kroeker ; Kim Walker ; Julie Stensrud ; Terri Shaw ; Cari Daw ; Gia Brown ; Jodie Auten ; Julie Alcala Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 8:21 AM Subject: FYI on Ovarian Cancer and helpful screening test > THIS IS A MUST READ TO THE END P L E A S E! > > An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer > > I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you > can. Send > this to the women in your life that you care about. Years ago, Gilda > Radner died > of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was > treated for > everything under the sun until it was too late. This blood > test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a > book to > heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower. > > KATHY'S STORY: this is the story of Kathy West > > I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been > identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian > Cancer. Both > types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the "tumor > marker" CA-125 > BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgery to remove > the primary > tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin. > > Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save others from the same > fate. > That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will print > it and give > it or send it via E-mail to everybody you know. > > One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL > responsibility for > our own health care. I thought I had done that because I always had > an annual > physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the > dentist at > least twice a year, etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy and a > bone density > test last year. When I had a total hysterectomy in 1993, I thought > that I did > not have to worry about getting any of the female reproductive organ > cancers. > > LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don't have ovaries (and they were HEALTHY when > they were > removed), but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer. Strange, > isn't it? > These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never tell us: ONE out > of every 55 > women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER. The "CLASSIC" > symptoms are > an ABDOMEN that rather SUDDENLY ENLARGES and CONSTIPATION and/or > DIARRHEA. > > I had these classic symptoms and went to the doctor. Because these > symptoms > seemed to be "abdominal", I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran > tests that were > designed to determine whether there was a bacteria infection; these > tests were > negative, and I was diagnosed with "Irritable Bowel Syndrome". I > guess I would > have accepted this diagnosis had it not been for my enlarged > abdomen. I swear to > you, it looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant! I therefore insisted > on more > tests. They took an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was > again assured > that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my > scheduled > month-long trip to Europe. I couldn't wear any of my slacks or > shorts because I > couldn't get them buttoned, and I KNEW something was radically > wrong. I INSISTED > on more tests, and they reluctantly) scheduled me for a CT-Scan > (just to shut me > up, I think). This is what I mean by "taking charge of our own > health care." > > The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal). Tests > revealed > cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, finally, finally, the doctor ran > a CA-125 > blood test, and I was properly diagnosed. > I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR OVARIAN CANCER, AND YET THIS SIMPLE > CA-125 > BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER BEEN RUN ON ME, not as part of my annual > physical exam and > not when I was symptomatic. This Is an inexpensive and simple blood > test! > > PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST > ON A > CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS. > Be forewarned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it, > saying, IT > ISN'T NECESSARY." Believe me, had I known then what I know now, we > would have > caught my cancer much earlier > (before it was a stage 3 cancer). Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST; > DO NOT take > "NO" for an answer! > > The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35. > MINE WAS > 754. (That's right, 754!). If the number is slightly above 35, you > can have > another done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just > as women do > when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly elevated > PSA test > (Prostatic Specific Antigens) that helps diagnose prostate cancer. > Having the > CA-125 test done annually can alert you early, and that's the goal > in diagnosing > any type of cancer - catching it early. > > Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this VERY > AGGRESIVE cancer. Please, go to your doctor and insist on a CA-125 > test and have > one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life. And forward this message > to every > woman you know, and tell all of your female family members and > friends. Though > the median age for this cancer is 56, (and, guess what, I'm exactly > 56), women > as young as 22 have it. Age is no factor. > > A NOTE FROM THE RN: > > Well, after reading this, I made some calls. I found that the CA-125 > test is > an ovarian screening test equivalent to a man's PSA test prostate > screen (which > my husband's doctor automatically gives him in his physical each > year and > insurance pays for it). I called the general practitioner's office > about having > the test done. The nurse had never heard of it. She told me that she > doubted > that insurance would pay for it. So I called Prudential Insurance > Co., and got > the same response. Never heard of it - it won't be covered. I > explained that it > was the same as the PSA test they had paid for my husband for years. > After > conferring with whomever they confer with, she told me that the > CA-125 would be > covered. > > It is $75 in a GP's office and $125 at the GYN's. This is a > screening test > that should be required just like a PAP smear (a PAP smear cannot > detect > problems with your ovaries). And you must insist that your insurance > company pay > for it. > > Gene Wilder and Pierce Brosnan (his wife had it, too) are lobbying > for women's > health issues, saying that this test should be required in our > physicals, just > like the PAP and the mammogram. > > PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND THIS OUT TO ALL THOSE YOU CAN. BE IT > MALE OR > FEMALE, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER, AS THEY CAN FORWARD IT ALSO TO THOSE > LOVED ONES > THEY KNOW. > > IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FORWARDING SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS > THIS, HERE'S A > LITTLE HINT THAT MAY ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR DECISION ~ JUST PRETEND > THAT THIS IS A > JOKE, WHICH IT CERTAINLY IS NOT, AND SEND IT OUT TO ALLTHE FOLKS YOU > WOULD IF IT > WAS. THANKS. > > > --- Sonny Heinz

Thanks so much, Sara, for the info. My 77 yr.old sister is finishing her chemo for that diagnosis, 6 yrs. after her mastectomy. Have fwd'd to all women I know. ----- Original Message ----- From: Sara Sellers To: SELLERS-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: [SELLERS] Fw: FYI on Ovarian Cancer and helpful screening test Hello Everybody, I, am sending this to you because either you are a female or someone close to you is. If ,it is as simple as asking for a test like this,then we all need to ask. I appreciate it being sent to me. Sara Sellers ----- Original Message ----- From: Frankie Kinderman To: Brenda Guest ; budmcharg ; Charlotte Magill ; Frankie Spalding ; Gwen Carle ; Jacki Murphy ; Marilyn Morris ; Mary Ott ; Maureen Poe ; Norma Gardner ; Sara Sellers ; Shirley Ray Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 12:12 AM Subject: Fw: FYI on Ovarian Cancer and helpful screening test ----- Original Message ----- From: Craig Aaron To: Christina McNitt ; Don and Joan Aaron ; Frankie Kinderman ; DEANO ISHIZAKO ; Loreen Kimble ; Tracy Gravlin Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 8:18 PM Subject: Fw: FYI on Ovarian Cancer and helpful screening test ----- Original Message ----- From: Jen Gio To: Susan Clark ; Mary Evans ; Stefanie Evans ; Stefanie Evans ; Connie McClaskey ; Connie McClaskey ; Michelle Sorensen ; Jennifer Wilson ; Oddyssey & Wes Wofford ; Katrine Moreale ; Edie Nanneman ; Kim Norman ; Judy Polick ; Niki Regan ; Melanie Sears ; Taryn ; Sue & Tim Tvelia ; Rhae Lynn ; Michelle Aaron ; Paula Crate ; Melissa Delmont ; Leslie ; John & Heather O'brien ; Sherry ; Gina Snow ; Melanie Smith ; Trish Kroeker ; Kim Walker ; Julie Stensrud ; Terri Shaw ; Cari Daw ; Gia Brown ; Jodie Auten ; Julie Alcala Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 8:21 AM Subject: FYI on Ovarian Cancer and helpful screening test > THIS IS A MUST READ TO THE END P L E A S E! > > An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer > > I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you > can. Send > this to the women in your life that you care about. Years ago, Gilda > Radner died > of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was > treated for > everything under the sun until it was too late. This blood > test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a > book to > heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower. > > KATHY'S STORY: this is the story of Kathy West > > I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been > identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian > Cancer. Both > types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the "tumor > marker" CA-125 > BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgery to remove > the primary > tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin. > > Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save others from the same > fate. > That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will print > it and give > it or send it via E-mail to everybody you know. > > One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL > responsibility for > our own health care. I thought I had done that because I always had > an annual > physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the > dentist at > least twice a year, etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy and a > bone density > test last year. When I had a total hysterectomy in 1993, I thought > that I did > not have to worry about getting any of the female reproductive organ > cancers. > > LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don't have ovaries (and they were HEALTHY when > they were > removed), but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer. Strange, > isn't it? > These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never tell us: ONE out > of every 55 > women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER. The "CLASSIC" > symptoms are > an ABDOMEN that rather SUDDENLY ENLARGES and CONSTIPATION and/or > DIARRHEA. > > I had these classic symptoms and went to the doctor. Because these > symptoms > seemed to be "abdominal", I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran > tests that were > designed to determine whether there was a bacteria infection; these > tests were > negative, and I was diagnosed with "Irritable Bowel Syndrome". I > guess I would > have accepted this diagnosis had it not been for my enlarged > abdomen. I swear to > you, it looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant! I therefore insisted > on more > tests. They took an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was > again assured > that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my > scheduled > month-long trip to Europe. I couldn't wear any of my slacks or > shorts because I > couldn't get them buttoned, and I KNEW something was radically > wrong. I INSISTED > on more tests, and they reluctantly) scheduled me for a CT-Scan > (just to shut me > up, I think). This is what I mean by "taking charge of our own > health care." > > The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal). Tests > revealed > cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, finally, finally, the doctor ran > a CA-125 > blood test, and I was properly diagnosed. > I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR OVARIAN CANCER, AND YET THIS SIMPLE > CA-125 > BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER BEEN RUN ON ME, not as part of my annual > physical exam and > not when I was symptomatic. This Is an inexpensive and simple blood > test! > > PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST > ON A > CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS. > Be forewarned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it, > saying, IT > ISN'T NECESSARY." Believe me, had I known then what I know now, we > would have > caught my cancer much earlier > (before it was a stage 3 cancer). Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST; > DO NOT take > "NO" for an answer! > > The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35. > MINE WAS > 754. (That's right, 754!). If the number is slightly above 35, you > can have > another done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just > as women do > when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly elevated > PSA test > (Prostatic Specific Antigens) that helps diagnose prostate cancer. > Having the > CA-125 test done annually can alert you early, and that's the goal > in diagnosing > any type of cancer - catching it early. > > Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this VERY > AGGRESIVE cancer. Please, go to your doctor and insist on a CA-125 > test and have > one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life. And forward this message > to every > woman you know, and tell all of your female family members and > friends. Though > the median age for this cancer is 56, (and, guess what, I'm exactly > 56), women > as young as 22 have it. Age is no factor. > > A NOTE FROM THE RN: > > Well, after reading this, I made some calls. I found that the CA-125 > test is > an ovarian screening test equivalent to a man's PSA test prostate > screen (which > my husband's doctor automatically gives him in his physical each > year and > insurance pays for it). I called the general practitioner's office > about having > the test done. The nurse had never heard of it. She told me that she > doubted > that insurance would pay for it. So I called Prudential Insurance > Co., and got > the same response. Never heard of it - it won't be covered. I > explained that it > was the same as the PSA test they had paid for my husband for years. > After > conferring with whomever they confer with, she told me that the > CA-125 would be > covered. > > It is $75 in a GP's office and $125 at the GYN's. This is a > screening test > that should be required just like a PAP smear (a PAP smear cannot > detect > problems with your ovaries). And you must insist that your insurance > company pay > for it. > > Gene Wilder and Pierce Brosnan (his wife had it, too) are lobbying > for women's > health issues, saying that this test should be required in our > physicals, just > like the PAP and the mammogram. > > PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND THIS OUT TO ALL THOSE YOU CAN. BE IT > MALE OR > FEMALE, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER, AS THEY CAN FORWARD IT ALSO TO THOSE > LOVED ONES > THEY KNOW. > > IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FORWARDING SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS > THIS, HERE'S A > LITTLE HINT THAT MAY ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR DECISION ~ JUST PRETEND > THAT THIS IS A > JOKE, WHICH IT CERTAINLY IS NOT, AND SEND IT OUT TO ALLTHE FOLKS YOU > WOULD IF IT > WAS. THANKS. > > > --- Sonny Heinz