icnmgrjill
04-07-2008, 09:54 AM
- Imagine having a family history of cancer
- Imagine testing positive for the cancer gene.
- Imagine being so diligent with your tests that you undergo screening for years to detect any early cancer (i.e. Paps, mammograms, etc.)
- Imagine having a hysterectomy on the advice of your doctor to further reduce your risk of cancer
- Now imagine developing pelvic pain. You're diagnosed with IC. One year later, you discover that you never had IC, that you have a rare, fatal cancer instead.
This is the story of Maryalyce Dolan, whose family recently participated in a cancer awareness march in her memory. For IC patients, it might be scary... but there were solid clues along the way that Maryalyce could become a cancer patient. Between her family history and testing positive for the cancer gene, it somewhat boggles the mind that when she did suddenly develop symptoms of abdominal pain and urinary frequency, that the cancer was missed.
Peritoneal cancer has symptoms very similar to those of ovarian cancer. Ironically, some of these also occur in a typical IC patient, including: abdominal pain, frequent urination, constipation, loss of appetite and sudden fluctuations of weight.
According to an article in the Springfield Sun (PA) Dolan had "mammograms and ultrasounds regularly because of a family history of cancer and a positive test for a mutation in the BRCA1 cancer gene. On her doctor's advice, she opted for a prophylactic hysterectomy in April 2005 to further reduce her risk. When she suffered from abdominal pain later that year, she was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, and prescribed a variety of pain medications. The pain never subsided, but second and third opinions failed to illuminate the root cause of her suffering."
Her rare peritoneal cancer was discovered after a trip to the emergency room for pain. Unfortunately, it has a very low survival rate. Maryalyce tragically died last May at the age of 42.
Peritoneal cancer can be quite difficult to detect. It doesn't usually manifest itself as painful lumps or nodes. Rather, it grows as a sheet along the peritoneum. Thus, it's not visible to x-rays. But, her profound risk of cancer is telling.
I offer this story to you because I'm sure that she'd want other patients to know that if YOU have a family history of cancer and/or that you have tested positive for the cancer gene, you'll want to discuss your case with your doctor, especially if your pain is persistent and not responding to typical IC treatments.
Read more about MaryAlyce at:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19427578&BRD=1306&PAG=461&dept_id=187832&rfi=6
Sadly,
Jill O.
- Imagine testing positive for the cancer gene.
- Imagine being so diligent with your tests that you undergo screening for years to detect any early cancer (i.e. Paps, mammograms, etc.)
- Imagine having a hysterectomy on the advice of your doctor to further reduce your risk of cancer
- Now imagine developing pelvic pain. You're diagnosed with IC. One year later, you discover that you never had IC, that you have a rare, fatal cancer instead.
This is the story of Maryalyce Dolan, whose family recently participated in a cancer awareness march in her memory. For IC patients, it might be scary... but there were solid clues along the way that Maryalyce could become a cancer patient. Between her family history and testing positive for the cancer gene, it somewhat boggles the mind that when she did suddenly develop symptoms of abdominal pain and urinary frequency, that the cancer was missed.
Peritoneal cancer has symptoms very similar to those of ovarian cancer. Ironically, some of these also occur in a typical IC patient, including: abdominal pain, frequent urination, constipation, loss of appetite and sudden fluctuations of weight.
According to an article in the Springfield Sun (PA) Dolan had "mammograms and ultrasounds regularly because of a family history of cancer and a positive test for a mutation in the BRCA1 cancer gene. On her doctor's advice, she opted for a prophylactic hysterectomy in April 2005 to further reduce her risk. When she suffered from abdominal pain later that year, she was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, and prescribed a variety of pain medications. The pain never subsided, but second and third opinions failed to illuminate the root cause of her suffering."
Her rare peritoneal cancer was discovered after a trip to the emergency room for pain. Unfortunately, it has a very low survival rate. Maryalyce tragically died last May at the age of 42.
Peritoneal cancer can be quite difficult to detect. It doesn't usually manifest itself as painful lumps or nodes. Rather, it grows as a sheet along the peritoneum. Thus, it's not visible to x-rays. But, her profound risk of cancer is telling.
I offer this story to you because I'm sure that she'd want other patients to know that if YOU have a family history of cancer and/or that you have tested positive for the cancer gene, you'll want to discuss your case with your doctor, especially if your pain is persistent and not responding to typical IC treatments.
Read more about MaryAlyce at:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19427578&BRD=1306&PAG=461&dept_id=187832&rfi=6
Sadly,
Jill O.