Most Common Types of Gynecologic Cancers

  • Endometrial/Uterine is the most common GYN cancer. The primary symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding.
  • Ovarian cancer is the second most common GYN cancer. Since there are no effective screening tests, one must be aware of the earliest symptoms of ovarian cancer.
  • Cervical cancer has been steadily decreasing in incidence with the increased prevalence of pap smear screening. We encourage you to get an annual pap smear.

Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

    Recent studies have shown that most women with ovarian cancer have had some or all of the following symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks:

  • Bloating
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Urinary urgency or frequency
  • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
    •

    The key is whether that is change from normal for your body.

    Other symptoms can include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, and menstrual irregularity.

    Because the signs and symptoms of GYN cancers may also be associated with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, it is important that your physician take seriously the possibility that ovarian cancer may be present, especially if you have a family or personal history of ovarian, breast, or colon cancer, and have never borne children.

    If you should have these symptoms, please see your gynecologist, who can follow-up with some diagnostic tests - CA125, transvaginal ultrasound, and pelvic exam. If these results indicate the possibility of ovarian cancer, ask - no, insist - to be referred to a gyn oncologist.

OVARIAN CANCER NATIONAL ALLIANCE CONFERENCE - 2010

The OCNA conference was a wonderful experience. We had the opportunity to hear many speakers on different subjects: Clinical Trial & Research Updates, Genetics, Survivors Teaching Students, Healthcare Reform, Complementary Therapies, Long-Term Survivorship and more. If you would like to view some of the information in more detail including the power point presentations, you can click on the link below. http://www.ovariancancer.org/conference/2010/

To me, the most rewarding part of the entire conference was Advocacy Day. All seven of us from Alabama had appointments scheduled in different offices of our Congressmen including Spencer Bachus, Bobby Bright, Artur Davis, Parker Griffith, Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby. We were able to tell our personal stories as well some of your stories. To really put a face on this disease, I took photographs to show them, including pictures of my mom before her diagnosis, during her treatment, and near the end of her life.

We have received some positive follow up from a few of their offices, but we still need their help to vote for the funding we requested. Here is a summary of what we have asked them to support:

  • $10 million in 2011 to fund Johanna's Law
  • $10 million in 2011 for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative
  • $30 million in 2011 for the Dept. of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program
  • To sign as co-sponsor on September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
  • To sign as co-sponsor and to reauthorize Johanna's Law

For more in depth descriptions of where the money will go, please see the summary page on the OCNA website: Click here

We also met some really incredible people while we were there. I promised one of those people, Joe Casey, that I would share his mother's story. Please see the following video link about the BRCA gene and ovarian cancer symptoms and feel free to share it with anyone you feel may benefit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKWu-Pl4kfY

I think this was an experience I will never forget. I encourage those who have considered going to make plans on attending one of the conferences in the future.

-- Jennifer Smiley

OVARIAN CANCER NATIONAL ALLIANCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE JULY 2008

Joy, Donna, Kathy, and Patricia attendend the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance meeting in Washington, D.C. They heard about current treatments, which Donna said our clinic already does. They also heard a lecture from the researcher who came up with the CA125 test. They spoke with the aides of some of our congressmen; Kathy said this was a very emotional experience. Congressman Aderholt spoke with them and posed with them for a picture.

Our trip to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Conference in Washington was a wonderful and informative experience. Each of the speakers was well chosen and very knowledgeable in his/her field. Although here in Birmingham we have doctors tirelessly working to find an annual test and a cure, it is enlightening to know that so many others are also working and together we will win.

It was inspiring to see so many ladies who have experienced ovarian cancer and to hear their stories. It is sad to know that many have lost the battle. My hope isÊthat our trip to Capital Hill will bear fruit and through obtaining finances for both awareness and research that there will be more survivors attending future OCNA Conferences and that early detection and a cure for Ovarian Cancer will become a reality.
--Joy

We had a great time and learned many new things! Capitol Hill day was amazing. The four of us had a personal tour of the Capitol building and even got to go into the gallery of the Senate. Donna and I also met Congressman Robert Aderholt and had our picture made with him. Thank you for the opportunity!
--Kathy

Johanna's Law

President Bush HAS SIGNED Johanna s Law, landmark legislation that authorizes development of a national gynecologic cancer awareness campaign. The federal campaign would educate American women and health professionals about the signs and symptoms of ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. The President signed the bill on Friday, January 12th. Both houses of Congress unanimously approved Johanna s Law: the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act late last year. Johanna's law authorizes $16.5 million over a three-year period to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the awareness and education campaign. It is named for Johanna Silver Gordon, who died from ovarian cancer in 2000.

Because Johanna's Law is an authorizing measure, it does not include any appropriations, so we will all be working to urge Congressional funding for the campaign.

We will keep everyone informed as action is needed. You may look on the website www.johannaslaw.org for more information.