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Just curious and had some more questions and I know everyone on here is very helpful...If I may ask what is a common age of being dianosed? And is there anyone who has not has kids that has been diagnosed? What made you go to the doctor? Did anyone basically have to fight the doc to get an answer??????
Cancer Diverticulitis Surgery Adoption Pregnancy Ovarian cancer Hernia Chemotherapy Menopause Endometriosis Infertility Ovarian cysts Taxol Hysterectomy Arthritis Hormone replacement therapy Uterine cancer Prempro Gallstones Miscarriage Fatty liver Breast cancer Constipation Pain Obesity HPV Lung cancer Diarrhea
I think around 50 from the things I have read...know there are younger and older people but average age is in 50's. I was 53 when I was diagnosed and I do not have children. I did take fertility pills when I was younger. My syptoms were shortness of breath and since my dad had died of heart diease thought that was my problem. Ran all sort of test on heart and everthing was ok, so then Dr realized I had fluid built up in my right chest area. When fluid was removed and tested cancer cells were found and after CT adn PET scans was diganosed with OVCA. Intial treatment was completed in November of 2009 and 1st recurrance was in June of 2008 with treatment ending in October, 2008 and second recurrance in February, 2009 , still undergoing treatment at this time.
Hope this info is helpful to you.
teresa lynne
I'm 33 now, but I was almost 29 when I was diagnosed, and I also had shortness of breath and fluid on my right lung. I had not had any children and had a complete hysterectomy. I was diagnosed, had a total hysterectomy, and got married 5 months later. My husband has 2 beautiful daughters that are mine too, but we're also hoping to adopt.
I think the average age is in the 50's, but any age can get it. I've never had children.
I went to the doctor because of lots of stomach issues, which were being attributed to a new arthritis med I had just started. My rheumatologist at the time was only looking at that. It went on for months until I had what I now know are the ovca symptoms - bloated, feeling full after eating nothing, not being able to close my pants or skirts, stomach pain. I went to my gastroenterologist because of the stomach problems, but he immediately became suspicious and did a sonogram right in his office and told me what he found. He literally sent me right to my gyn's office, who was waiting for me. He, in turn, called the gyn/onc surgeon and made me an appointment for the next day. The mis-diagnosis took about 6 months, but then everyhing moved really fast. I was diagnosed and had surgery in 12/00 and got a 6-year remission the first time. I'm now in my second recurrence. It's a tricky disease and one you have to stay on top of.
actually, risk factors are not having had at least 2 live births, family history, obesity, a list of stuff every other disease has. but the funny thing is most every person i meet with ovarian cancer has had children, and had no family history of ov ca, maybe other family members had some cancer, maybe they did not. and my doc told me the average age is in the 60 to 70s. but you see more and more younger women in their 50s getting it, and unfortunately very young women. so i think statistics are a crap shoot. additionally, the younger you are when you are diagnosed, especially when it is latter stage, the worse the prognosis, statistically speaking. but as we all know, GOD is in charge, and we all live the life he has mapped out for us, we are the clay he is the potter. prayers and blessings, sherry
I am 55 and have no children. I was diagnosed in April 2009. I was having discomfort in my bladder area and thought I had an infection, which I did so I was treated for that. But my symptoms never went away, it was painful to sit or get up or down from sitting. After several visits to Dr's I went to an urgent care center and said do something. They did... a CT scan found a large tumor. The rest is history. I have just finished my 3rd round of chemo.
I was diagnosed in 2007 when I was 52. I have no children. I went to my general practictioner because I was experiencing indigestion, shortness of breath, odd feeling in my abdomen (like something "new" was shifting when I turned on my side when trying to sleep), and constipation. After asking some questions, my doctor felt my abdomen and said she could feel some sharp edges that she didn't like. That was Monday morning. She set up blood work and CT scan and by Friday she called to let me know that she believed I had ovarian cancer. My surgery was the following Thursday. The pathology report confirmed the ovarian cancer (Stage IC) as well as finding uterine cancer (Stage IB). The tumor was the size of a small watermelon (that is what was shifting and causing the shortness of breath).
In reflecting on the possible reasons - age? over weight? no children? ablation for extreme menstrual bleeding two years earlier? mother died of breast cancer - genetic connection? talcum powder? use of diaphragm as birth control? I had to put those thoughts to the side and focus on healing from surgery and handling chemo. I am sure all of those reasons will be taken into consideration by scientists, doctors, researchers, and labs. My focus these days is to make sure that friends, family, and colleagues are aware that symptoms like indigestion and constipation lasting beyond a few weeks should be taken seriously by women and the medical world. With September (Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month) just around the corner, we should each put on our teal, share our stories, and build awareness.
I was DX at age 47 and did not have children. But a friend of mine was DX at 46 who did have 2 children so you just never know.
Finished Checmo Jan 05
1st Reoccurence Jun 07
2nd Reoccurence Mar 08 (Doxil)
Still NED today at Stage IIIC Yeah!
I asked one of the Docs how old the youngest person with Ovarian and they said 16 Yikes! I think sometimes it's the environment.
There's Hope - Keep Fighting Ladies and Gents
Hi there. I was diagnosed last June at the age of 38. We do not have any children - and I was on infertility drugs about ten years ago but only for two months.........male issue in the end.
I had no idea that I had a large mass on my left ovary...instead went to the doctor about pain in my right side - which an ultrasound showed to be a harmless, normal, grape-sized cyst. But on the LEFT side - they found a large tumor!! If I hadn't had that bothersome little cyst - who KNOWS when we would have found the cancer. Mine was found at stage 1a. I consider myself very lucky, very blessed.........
I was in the middle of gearing up for another IVF cycle to try to have our first child when I was diagnosed. I had a complete hysterectomy. To add insult to injury, my chemo started basically on the anniversary of the D&C resulting from my one and only pregnancy ending in an intrauterine death (IVF pregnancy, btw).
I don't think those who have had children or chose not to have children really understand the total devastation of this disease when it wasn't a choice. At 40, adoption is going to be really hard. The competition is fierce. It is one of the reasons my husband and I pursued fertility treatments versus adoption immediately. We looked at the costs and, since his insurance had a fertility rider, we decided to go for it. (This is an extremely personal decision that has to be faced with family dynamics, finances, etc. Everyone has to make the right choice for them.)
I just know that I am still angry that choice was ripped right out of me by the universe. I do not believe in any "meant to be" nonsense. The world is just random and bad things happen. I only believe in intervention when it comes to the human race blowing itself and the earth to kingdom come. I don't think anything short of that causes intervention in the physical world. (Spiritual world is a whole different matter.)
It is really hard and despairing to hear the majority of OvCa patients talk about how they are living for their children or grandchildren. It just makes me feel like because I didn't have a chance to have children I'm somehow less worthy. (I know this isn't the case, but that is the message that is coming across.)
I have Stage 1C with a Grade 3 tumor. The only reason it was caught was because I was gearing up for IVF. The surgeons said that if there had been any delay they would have just closed me back up. It was growing that fast.
I was DX at 40, I have no children, for a year I had all of the classic symptoms; bloating, pelvic and abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, feeling a frequent or urgent need to urinate. I agree with gmac with September (Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month) just around the corner, we should each put on our teal, share/shout our stories, and build awareness.
I was diagnosed at age 40 in October, 2008. I do not have kids but was on fertility drugs in my younger 30's. I had a super busy summer last year but couldn't ignore the fact that I was consistenly feeling bloated. By the time October rolled around I was constipated and nothing over the counter would help. I went to my primary care doctor and she felt my belly and thought I might be pregnant - I wasn't of course. Then she felt my belly again and looked concerned and suggested I walk accross the street to the hospital and get a CT Scan right away. I was admitted in to the hospital that night and they removed a large amount of fluid from my belly the next morning. That was October 22, 2008. I had surgery on November 5th and then started chemo in December. I had another surgery in March, 2009 and have been on chemo since April. I am currently taking Gemzar and Abraxine which is working and shrinking the tumors. I get chemo on the schedule two Thursdays "on" and one Thursday "off" so about one week a month I have no chemo to deal with. The original Carbo/Taxol did nothing for my "agressive" disease. Another surgery is definitely in the future, when the chemo stops working. For now, I am able to work full time and I have a good quality of life - I am thankful every day for that.
Hi! I was diagnosed age 70 by my GP. I went because of the bloating and other symptoms which we now recognise as OVCA. He immediately sent me for a CT scan and gyn when the results came back. I never had a pregnancy, NO family history of cancer. We did adopt 3 children, 1960, 62, and 65 (birth control was just coming into use then so we were fortunate.) 8 months after the Taxol/carbo I recurred, more chemo and second surgery. So far 3 years 10 months since end of 30 months of chemo, I am NED and grateful. There have been some studies regarding Prempro use which I did for 15 years until I started "spotting". Could that have been the cause? Anyway, every day is a good day and I am grateful for having a wonderful gyn/onc (who specializes in OVCA).
I do not have bio children, but have a beautiful adopted son. History of fertility treatment and fertlity drugs. I was diagnosed at 37 years old.
I had a history of endo and was my 4th or 5th lap. This time they decided to remove my ovary and what they thought was another endo cyst turned out to be a cancerous cyst.
No family history of ovarian cancer, but I have a younger sister who has endo. A grandfather that died from colon cancer on my mom's side. On my dad's side I have a first cousin who had breast cancer, my grandmother's sister died of breast cancer, and my grandfather's cousin died of breast cancer. No first degree relatives with cancer.
I was diagnosed at age 27 - no kids - symptoms were extremely heavy periods and pressure - at first they thought it was ovarian cysts and endometriosis, but it turned out to be tumors on both ovaries. Emergency hysterectomy followed. I am now 52 experiencing my 3rd bout with this disease.
I have no children. I was 54 when I was diagnosed in Nov. 06, after having stomach pains and urinary problems for at least 6 months. I've been NED since I finished chemo in April 07 -- thank God. I've tested positive for BRCA-2, but my husband and I have also wondered if 9 cycles of IVF (we lived in Israel at the time where it is free) might have "caused" my cancer.
I was diagnosed when I was 39...no children but my husband & I also went through the infertility phase. I went through 7 cycles of that I believe, never worked for us. I also wonder like JanJ from above if the IVF cycles may have caused my cancer also. They did mention it when we went in for IVF it is a possibilty there. My main concern for going to the doctor was pain when I went to the bathroom...it would start about 1/2 way through until I finished and then it started to bother me in the same area when I would move. Spent a couple of weekends on the couch not moving at all. Stage 3C Feb 08. Had Chemo IP can cisplatin/carbo platin and taxol. finished 7/08 NED since finishing. Getting ready for my 1 year checkup Aug 24 or some where around there since finishing treatment. Prayers & Hugs
I was diagnosed on October 2007 at the age of 49. I have one child - a daughter who was born when I was 37 ( she is now 14 ). The first symptoms I had were only a month before diagnosis. I had intermittent nausea and diarrhea, along with some pain in mu abdomen. I went to my primary doctor who ordered a CAT scan and told me I had a mass in my uterus. I then went to my gynecologist who told me I had fibroid tumors. I had a vaginal ultreasound and an MRI, and again was told it was definitely fibroids. I asked to have a hysterectomy as soon as possible due to feeling sick, and was able to get one scheduled within a week. During surgery, my gynecologist discovered I didn't have fibroid tumors, but I had advanced ovarian cancer. Luckily, the local gynecologic oncologist was at the hospital that day and able to complete the debulking. Imagine my surpirse and horror to wake up from surgery to find out that I have stage IIIC ovarian cancer.
I did not have children. I was diagnosed at 54 - I just turned 60. I went to my primary care physician with pelvic pressure complaints - thought I had a flu. He examined me and poked. I had a sensation - not pain - in the area of an ovary. I told him that I was deathly afraid of ovarian cancer because I have a friend who had it. Then, the ball began to roll - CA125, transvaginal ultrasound. He told me that I needed to see a gynecologic oncologist....the rest is history.
I think everyone has a different story. I'm just happy and grateful that we have so many chemo options and that researchers keep working on advances for us.
Good luck,
Sandy
Hi,
I was first diagnosed at 60. I have no children.
Was breathless and my clothes started not to fit. One day playing mini golf, I couldn't bend over to pick up the ball, it was hurting. Went to dr and she found on x-ray that my diaphram was being pushed up. Immediately went to gyneo. Had hysterectomy surgery and chemo in Feb. 2006. Recurrence in Feb. 2008. So far so good. Yes, I hate the month of February and have switched my dr appts either to the end of Jan. or beginning of Mar.
I have no biological children, adopted a son when I was 41. (He was 3 weeks old.)
I was diagnosed at 53. I had bloating and some constipation, but just thought it was end-of-the-school-year poor eating habits. I had a pelvic ultrasound as part of a long-term study an area univeristy was doing to see whether pelvic ultrasounds should be prescribed like mammograms.
I had a softball-sized tumor. Had surgery nearly 3 weeks laters and was Stage 2b, Grade 3 with clear cell. I'm 21 months post-chemo with NED at this point.
I am BRCA1 positive. My mother had breast cancer, my dad had lung cancer, my sister had ovarian cancer (died 7 months before I was diagnosed--why I was eligible for study). Of my dad's six siblings, five died of cancer: ovarian or stomach, breast and ovarian or stomach, brain, cervical and ovarian and breast and lung, and recurring colon cancers. (We think the mutation came from my dad's side because so few of my mother's extended family have had cancer.)
My niece (sister's daughter) has the same genetic mutation I do. At this point, it's believed only around
10% of ovarian cancer has an inherited genetic link.
Hope this helps.
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