ovarian cancer history

[mikita4]

My mother died at 52 of ovarian cancer. Breast, skin, lung, many cancers are in my family. My doctor has told me that my insurance will pay for a  hysterectomy because of family history.Two yrs ago, I almost went thru with it until doc told me that you can still get ovarian cancer even with the ovaries gone. I then decided not to do it. Now, I'm having second doubts again. My sister and cousin say I should do it. I'm so torn between this. I worry constantly about developing ovarian cancer. Any stomach pain, cramps, side pain, I'm certain I have it. I know it will make my menopause and hot flashes worse. I am 55. I always thought I'd die at 52 like my mom. Any suggestions from anyone? Thanks, in advance.

[crecco]

  I agree. With your family history, I would seek the advice of a gyn/onc and find out as much as you can about the genetic testing.
  It will help to ease your mind one way or the other. There is no sense in spending all of your time worrying about something that you have no control over.
    Chris

[nyc lady]

I would seek the advise of a GYN/Oncologist and find out about BRCA testing.  OvCa is a relatively rare disease, approximately 22,000 women will be diagnosed in the US this year (this disease is very near and dear to our hearts and that is why we are fighting for more testing and to be heard)...and while we are not a big believers in stats, you have an increased risk of being diagnosed with OvCa of about 10 percent if first line relatives, mother, father, sibling, have had OvCa, Breast Ca or Colon Ca.....testing BRCA positive, the increased risk is about 40 percent.  Don't also forget that testing BRCA positive also shows an increased risk for OvCa, Breast Ca and other cancers which I am not certain of.  As a matter of fact, testing positive for BRCA gene mutation, has an 80 percent increased risk of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  There is alot of information out there and a lot of information to digest....I would suggest, if possible, seeking the advice of a genetic counsler.
Good luck to you.....and yes, it is very possible to get "ovarian cancer" or "primary peritoneal cancer" without ovaries.
Good luck,
Pam

[bcppc]

I'm sorry you are so torn about what to do..
  But if you were my mom or my sister I would want you to do the preventive hysteretomy.
Yes,it's true you could still get ovarian cancer even with the ovaries gone, but at least you could prevent it from happening as fast or as bad as it could be, if you keep your reproductive organs... if I had known then, what I know now, I would have had a hysterectomy way before my Primary Peritoneal cancer aka Ovarian cancer got so bad.......(stage 4 PPC TAH/BSO tumor debulking surgery Dec 5, 2005)
   anyways, if you know you run the risk of this cancer, you should be closely monitored by your GYN/Oncologist specialist...if not the specialist, at least go to a OB/GYN and tell her your history and demand that she do the CA-125 at least once every year So you can monitor ovarian cancer thru that CA-125 blood test, and then you can be diagnosed at a much earlier stage IF you get it....I was a stage 4 and I dont wish that on my worst enemy, the pain I endured, and the chance of my not living past 5 yrs is not that good.
  So my advice is for you to do what you think is right...You have options, I didnt...  Positive attitude also has its affects on your immune system....you can visualize yourself alive at 85 yrs old and not dying like your mom.....and by the way, my hot flashes arent so bad now... after the hysterectomy for about a year and a half, yes they were bad, but you get over it!  you have to change your thinking...I'd rather have hot flashes than not be here!
   God Bless and good luck on your decision!
Ana


  My mom and I tested positive for the BRCA-1 genetic mutation so my mom did do the preventive hysterectomy in 2006.