Giving VOICE to ovarian cancer survivors - authors: Carolyn Benivegna, Tracy Gorden, Sandi Pniauskas

Giving VOICE to ovarian cancer survivors ©

Survivors debate the issues

Authors:  Carolyn Benivegna*, Tracy Gorden*,  Sandi Pniauskas

*In Memorandum

 

During her research for a presentation concerning cancer patients’ voices in healthcare, Sandi Pniauskas took special notice of a paper published by an expert panel that included the following statement: "Patients or their representatives should not attend the Multidisciplinary Cancer Conference to ensure unbiased case review"  (Report dated June 2006, www.cancercare.on.ca/pdf/pebcmccf.pdf). 

While it would be imprudent to take this singular and remarkable quote as the “rule du jour,” this philosophy, and others similar to it, are prevalent in both private perception and in published literature on cancer survival/survivorship.

We can be thankful for more enlightened views, such as this example from the Journal of Health and Social Policy that, instead, celebrates the voices and contributions of (non-medical) health educators and activists:  

            The activists' efforts wrested control of “authoritative knowledge” that had once been the sole domain of the “experts” with advanced medical training. They used this knowledge to empower “average” people with medical information…to

promote self help and engage in civil disobedience, which led to changes in healthcare delivery (2006;21(3):55-69).

As ovarian cancer survivors we have learned much over the years.  Average, everyday citizens are taking active roles in their treatments and educating themselves about this deadly disease.  Yet in our view, and through the course of shedding light on this disease and the experiences of those living with it, it has become obvious that there is no such thing as an “average” survivor.

Ovarian cancer is not a new disease; in fact, it has been traced back as far as Egyptian times.  Advancements in research, education, awareness and access to care have gained some momentum, but they have also hit many roadblocks.  As ovarian cancer survivors  with international grassroots connections to, and support from, other survivors  we regularly discuss where this disease has been, and where it is going.  We now feel it is time to move these behind-the-scenes discussions to open forums. 

By being informed and proactive women with ovarian cancer, we have recognized the value and importance of conducting our own critical analysis.  Most importantly, we have learned to shift the focus onto the human elements and burdens of suffering that we experience each day in our communities.  

Creating a public forum for ovarian cancer survivors

As those living with this disease, we dream of what the future holds in terms of early detection, education, research, treatment and a cure. This dream has evolved in the form of organizing two ovarian cancer conferences for October 2007 -- one to be held in Novi, Michigan (US) and another in Toronto, Ontario (Canada) --  both entitled, “Survivors’ Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer.” 

These public meetings are the result of a collaborative effort by proactive and knowledgeable ovarian cancer survivors with supporting oncology nurses. They will take place with the understanding that they will be fully inclusive – everyone is welcome -- but that the focus will remain on the experiences, needs and concerns of cancer patients and survivors, their families and friends.

The conferences will take place in two locations in two countries because our issues are the same: access to care, awareness, early detection, survival rates and genetics. The directive and focus of both conferences is to offer a place to exchange ideas honestly and openly without judgment or bias.

Patients need an environment where they feel encouraged to discuss the many difficulties they face.  Sometimes it is very difficult to find that space -- a place without fear of retribution, criticism or dismissive attitudes. Patient-to-patient discussion and counseling offers this environment. It allows for in-depth dialogue on a variety of topics that detail what strategies work for survivors and their families and what is not effective. Healthcare settings just do not currently lend themselves to foster the dialogue that is needed for survivors that this new forum provides.

However, the conferences will also focus on creating a public force to expedite change, which can only start with communication.  Born from need – an arena for discussion for ovarian cancer survivors by survivors -- the “Survivors’ Debate” has taken form. 

But while the conferences are about patients speaking for themselves they are not speaking by themselves. With this new forum for dialogue, debate and discussion, we can highlight the detailed knowledge and expertise of our international ovarian cancer community with almost a decade of experience behind us, and explain why, as a community, we work. But we will also be able to explore the variety of reasons why what is needed by survivors and their friends and families is not currently being translated into caregiving.

Our ovarian cancer survivor connections and bonds have formed through the years by enduring extreme challenges and personal losses. The only bias we have as survivors is the bias to endure and to survive to the best of our abilities, not only as individuals but, importantly, as a community. To be very blunt, previously this has included much silent suffering.

It is long past due that we take our real issues into a public forum and encourage everyone to participate. We plan to make some long overdue noise at these debates about ovarian cancer, and we envision that these two scheduled events are only the beginning of a completely new trend in ovarian cancer activism.

For more information on the Survivors’ Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer, visit: http://ovariancancerdebate.blogspot.com

 

Side-bar:

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a serious and under-recognized threat to women's health which kills more women than all of the gynecologic cancers combined.  The lifetime risk of contracting ovarian cancer is one in seventy~.  Ovarian cancer is very treatable when caught early, but the vast majority of cases are not diagnosed until too late, which means that while it is not as common as some other cancers, it remains a woman’s cancer with a poor survival rate.

Unfortunately, an early detection test still remains elusive and contrary to public perception, the PAP test is not a screening test for ovarian cancer. Efforts to diagnose ovarian cancer is through a combination of: tumor marker test (called the CA125), a bimanual pelvic/rectal exam and transvaginal ultrasound. Actual confirmation of the diagnosis of ovarian cancer is confirmed with surgery and pathology reports (eg. Laboratory tests on tissue/s specimen). When ovarian cancer is caught before it has spread beyond the ovaries 80-90%~ of women will survive five years. When diagnosed after the disease has spread, the chance of five-year survival drops to approximately 20-30%~ or less.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are nonspecific and mimic those of many other more common conditions, including other cancers.  However, as a result of the original work in 1999 of Cindy Melancon, RN (who died of ovarian cancer in 2003) and Dr Barbara Goff, it has now been established that both early and advanced stage ovarian cancer do have  recognizable symptoms. This debate continues -semantics.

A consensus expert panel convened earlier this year concluded that the following four symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population:

* Bloating;

* Pelvic or abdominal pain;

* Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly;

* Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency).

Several other symptoms have been commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer, as well; these symptoms include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities.  A woman should consult with a health care professional if any of these symptoms persist or feel abnormal.

What you can do

* Understand your family history (e.g., ovarian, breast, colorectal cancer (organs/cancers of the gastrointestinal tract),endometrial cancers);

*  Educate yourself and understand ovarian cancer as it relates to your specific diagnosis;

*  Communicate your concerns with your healthcare professional;

*  Recognize and support other ovarian cancer women/families in your community;

* learn and appreciate the lived experience of your fellow survivors;

*  Join a social networking support group and/or face-to-face support group;

*  Join a cancer organization or a program in your community and/or hospital. 

Ovarian cancer is not a silent disease – speak up and speak out - it is only a silent disease when 'we' are not listening

Note: this blog and others maintain searchable databases of information for help