Ovarian cancer is usually called a "silent killer" because it can be present with no apparent symptoms until the late stage and the major diagnoses weren't even made until Stage 3 or terminal phase. But, actress Laura Clark-Hansen prefers to call this as "the disease that whispers," as she fought the illness herself and taught women how to listen to the "whispers" of the disease.
Clark-Hansen worked hard to educate women about ovarian cancer, wherein according to Hong Kong's Dr. Selina Pang, this type of cancer is the sixth most common cancer among Hong Kong women. For Clark-Hansen, her "BEAT" lessons could help a woman to spot the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which basically stand for: Bloating, Eating and gastrointestinal issues, Abdominal pain, and Tinkle - where Dr. Pang described as frequent urination.
Clark-Hansen also called ovarian cancer as the "chameleon cancer" since the majority of the symptoms are common to other ailments. In her book, titled Please Send Hats, the "My Ovaries are Trying To Tell Me Something" chapter revealed how her cancer hid like a perimenopause, an acid reflux, or an overactive bladder. She wrote these as subtle signs of ovarian cancer but usually ignored as these are associated with other common conditions.
According to the South China Morning Post, there are no definitive tests for ovarian cancer, and although Pap smear could reveal the cervix's changes - there's still no test to identify this cancer. Meanwhile, the CA 125 blood test is the common test to identify if ovarian cancer is present - this procedure basically measures the amount of the protein CA 125 (cancer antigen 125) in the blood. Yet, the test has downsides since the result can be inaccurate as there are other factors that can increase the CA 125 level - like menstruation.
The American Cancer Society estimates about 22,240 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this 2018 - more than 60 percent will likely die from this condition. Ovarian cancer has been ranked fifth in cancer deaths among women, which has more deaths compared to other cancer in female's reproductive system. The risk of a woman getting ovarian cancer in her lifetime is 1 in 78, while the chance of dying from the condition is 1 in 108.
Usually, half of the women were being diagnosed with ovarian cancer when they are at the age of 63 and above. The condition is more common in European than African-American women, but family history may also be a factor. Dr. Pang noted ovarian cancer should be considered as "an important public health issue" due to high mortality rate and poor prognosis.
Meanwhile, Clark-Hansen died from ovarian cancer in 2016, but she's been involved in a program called Survivors Teaching Students Saving Women's Lives. She wanted women to listen to their own bodies and urged doctors to listen to women as well.
