September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month!
Most of you on tumblr don’t know this, but in March 2021 I had surgery & was diagnosed with a form of stage 1 ovarian cancer at age 25. Subsequently, I went thru over 2 months of chemotherapy. Obviously, it’s really sucked but thankfully, it was caught early and I am doing really well now!
Most people with ovaries aren’t so lucky to catch it early because the symptoms are so ‘normal’ and women’s health isn’t usually taken as seriously as it should by medical professionals.
My symptoms were having to pee a LOT more than normal, and having these weird not-quite-period-cramps/not-quite-sore-abs-from-exercise pains when I peed (and later, all the time). I was 100% convinced I had a UTI, and just drank a lot of cranberry juice for about a month before I went to my gynecologist who immediately could tell something was wrong. What was wrong was a 17cm tumor in my right ovary. As it grew it had been squishing my bladder and other internal organs, causing the above symptoms. And you couldn’t even tell by looking at me.
Other common symptoms include bloating and weird changes in appetite (aka the tumor being more visible from the outside and also squishing your stomach). Obviously these symptoms could be symptoms of a lot of things, so if something feels different for you, just go to the doctor and get it checked out!
To note, surgery did remove my right ovary. But I have had no changes to my period nor will my fertility odds change! You have two ovaries for the same reason you have two kidneys - one works perfectly fine.
I have no family history of ovarian cancer. Me getting it is a complete stroke of bad luck, and any of you have the same chance as say, my sister, of also getting it. Like one in a million! But it’s important to be aware just in case you are like me.
My advice: go to your annual visits with both a primary care doctor and a gynecologist.
I had been to a new gynecologist for the first time in years just before this all happened, and I know that one visit helped her believe me when I came back months later and said something was wrong. A lot of my friends have gone recently after my whole experience, and all of them have been declared healthy, which is a big relief. Some have even gotten better answers to common issues they’ve had for years, just by asking more questions.
I just want everyone with ovaries to be aware this is something that can happen! And I hope if it does happen to any of you or anyone you know that they’re able to catch it early because they’re aware. And FYI, testicular cancer is treated exactly the same, but is easier to catch early (lumps and bumps are much more obvious). I am happy to answer any questions! Believe me, after this year I have no hesitations talking about my insides lol. Happy September!
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