Shelley O’Keefe had been experiencing weird bruising, some fatigue, and lower back pain for a few years. But she’s an athlete — a member of the PGA of America and golf instructor; before that, a Division 1 soccer player; and a former member of the United States Freestyle Ski Team as a mogul specialist. With two kids … Continued
The following is a press release from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Magee-Womens Research Institute PITTSBURGH, Nov. 12, 2021 – Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of cancer treatment that help the immune system’s T cells recognize and attack tumors. But these immunotherapy drugs aren’t effective against all cancers. In … Continued
Physical activity has been touted as important for a whole host of reasons, from bone health to mental health and everything in between. But what are the benefits of exercise for cancer patients, specifically ovarian cancer? And is it advisable for ovarian cancer patients to exercise at all? As always, it’s important to check with … Continued
April lives in Federal Way, Washington, and was diagnosed with Müllerian clear cell carcinoma. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? My biggest frustration is finding effective treatments and battling my insurance company to approve treatments. My insurance continues to deny treatments like immunotherapy, calling it investigational because there … Continued
Heather lives in Muskegon, and was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma, hypercalcemic type. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? My local doctors shoved it off as pregnancy symptoms or being a hypochondriac. I was “too young” to have ovarian cancer. I was having awful pain and vomiting while … Continued
Renee lives in Cadillac, and was diagnosed with carcinosarcoma. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? I became frustrated when I was not given much information from my gynecologic oncology team about my cancer. I had to resort to the internet to learn about it. Although my rare type … Continued
Jill lives in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and was diagnosed with grade 3, stage IVB squamous cell carcinoma. What has been your frustration in having a rare form of ovarian cancer? Relaying the severity of my diagnosis to family/friends is incredibly frustrating. I understand the need to focus on the positive, but realistically speaking, there are no … Continued
Have we got a roundup in store! You heard from us a lot in September (thanks to you, we surpassed our Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month fundraising goal!) and there’s still so much to report … research progress, a brand new clinical trial initiative, our upcoming Fall Advocacy Day, and the list goes on. Read on … Continued
B. Dana Kivel has a plea to the ovarian cancer community, to medical professionals, to the world: “See me. Listen to me. I’m one of the people, the tens of thousands of people who have metastatic ovarian cancer.” But while Dana has a gendered gynecologic cancer, their gender identity does not align with what one would … Continued
A recent study has shed more light on the demographics of hereditary ovarian cancer, and provides further data to suggest an urgent need for increased genetic counseling for potentially high-risk Black women, as well as increased genetic testing in Black ovarian cancer patients. The study, which took place over the course of 20 years and … Continued
November 15-16, 2021 | Register Today! Are you passionate about issues affecting the ovarian cancer community? Now is your chance to have your voice heard at the highest levels — without ever leaving home! OCRA’s Virtual Advocacy Day is a rare opportunity to communicate directly with your Members of Congress, and advocate for federal programs … Continued
At first glance, Jonathan Sockolosky and Andrew Berger, may seem like they have very little in common. Jonathan lives in San Francisco and is a scientist, while Andrew lives in New York, and works in the finance industry. Different as they appear, there is one thing that unites them: their connection to ovarian cancer. Both … Continued
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