Staggering Stats on ovarian cancer

Ovarian Cancer is so similar to the cancer that I have -- peritoneal cancer -- that my GYN oncologist doctor says "we'll just call it ovarian cancer". 

Peritoneal cancer info obtained from somewhere on the internet: "As far as cancers are concerned, peritoneal cancer is one of the rarer forms, and because of the way peritoneal cancer tends to present, it is often mistaken for other types of cancer, especially ovarian cancer, with which it is strongly linked.

The peritoneum is a very thin layer of tissue that lines the walls of the abdomen and serves as a type of protective structure around the bladder and the rectum, as well as the uterus in women. The entire structure is made up of tiny cells called epithelial cells, which are essentially what peritoneal cancer attacks.

The main purpose of the peritoneum is to allow organs to move smoothly throughout the abdominal cavity, and it does this by producing a slick fluid. However, when peritoneal cancer strikes, that fluid production is compromised, causing problems with many bodily symptoms.

While cancers of the stomach and the intestine can sometimes invade the peritoneum, this is not a true or primary form of peritoneal cancer. True peritoneal cancer begins in the peritoneum and may grow or metastasize to other areas of the body."

IF you have ANY history of cancer on either the maternal or paternal side and you experience the following symptoms -- TELL your doctor to check you for cancer!!!!

Here are symptoms

* Bloating (even the anti-acid pills can't touch this kind. Just as soon as gas is relieved it immediately returns as if there was no release)

* Pelvic or abdominal (unexplained, similar to ovarian cyst symptoms, but the cramping continues all month long, not during your period, pressure on your rectum, pinching feeling on your right and left ovaries)

* Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly (there may be a fluid buildup in the peritoneal or around the diaphragm)

* Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency, sometime this just feels like "one of those Symptoms that happens when you get older")

Additionally keep in mind:

* Ovarian cancer occurs in approximately 1 out of 72 women

* Ovarian cancer can strike at any age (age 14 is the youngest I have heard of)

* There is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer (The "CA125" is merely an indicator,  
        not 100% conclusive)
* Because it is so hard to detect, ovarian cancer is often NOT diagnosed until stage 3 or 4!! 

* A Pap smear does NOT detect ovarian cancer

* Symptoms are often vague and easily confused with other illnesses, especially 
       gastrointestinal illnesses

* Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of the gynecologic cancers :-(