Ovarian Cancer – those two words haunt every woman because it is one of
My mother at my wedding
those diseases, for the most part, with no easy way to determine if a woman is in the early stages of the disease. This means that when a woman receives this diagnosis, it is often too late. I know, because my mother, while on vacation, was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She died a year later after endless chemotherapy treatments, losing her hair and realizing that all of her efforts had not stopped the monster inside her.
The facts about ovarian cancer are that the 5-year survival rate for early detection is over 90% but less than 15% of ovarian cancer is detected in its earliest stages. Most are not discovered until stage 3 or 4. By then, the survival rate can be as low as 18%! The Women’s Cancer Center within the Carol G. Simon Cancer Centers of Overlook and Morristown Medical Centers is currently one of the hubs of a cutting edge study that may provide new answers for women. Women who are between the ages of 50 and 74 years, post-menopausal, have at least one ovary, have a healthcare provider and have not been under any cancer treatment for the past 12 months, may qualify to participate in this groundbreaking study.
When I learned about the Ovarian Cancer Screening Study, my first reaction was, “How do I sign up?” For me, the idea of being able to have an early warning for this disease is something that every woman desperately needs. And, to be able to participate at my local Medical Center, where I have grown comfortable with the staff and environment, was a great comfort to me. For a woman to know that there is something she can do about a bad situation is incredibly empowering. I feel so strongly about this study, I agreed to be interviewed about it by the Star Ledger and Max Gomez of CBS News! You can find the CBS News segment, “Dr. Max Gomez: A New Test Could Help Cure Ovarian Cancer” on Overlook’s facebook page.
I now have two adult daughters and one precious granddaughter. I believe that every woman needs to do whatever she can in the spirit of sisterhood to give
Me and my daughters: Gwendolyn Radsch (bride) and her sister, Amanda Wipperman
our future generations that second chance that an early warning screening would provide. It was easy to find out if I qualified for the study. I simply called 973-971-6491 and, after having all of my questions answered, was pleased to enroll in this very important study.
My daughter, Gwendolyn, and her husband, David
All I need to do now is visit the Women’s Cancer Center at Overlook once a year, have some blood drawn and go home with a smile on my face knowing that I am doing everything I can to insure that my daughters and my granddaughter will hopefully not have to live
My duaghter, Amanda, with her daughter, Cecilia
with the fear that has haunted me and many of my peers. I hope you choose to do the same.
Lee Radsch is a patient relations volunteer at Overlook Medical Center and lives in Chatham.
