How many of us know a mother, sister, daughter or friend who’s died from cancer? Everyone I know, knows someone, I can tell you that.  Too many women are being told that they have cancer today, when they should have been told yesterday. Write to us at Stories@cancerschmancer.org and share your story. After all, turning pain into prupose heals.

"On May 27th, I hit the 12 year survival of endometrial and ovarian cancer anniversary.  Luckily, my doctor listened to me, as I had very few symptoms. When I had my hysterectomy, it was discovered that I was at stage 3, as I had metastasis to one ovary.  After the surgery, I went on to have the radiation and through the years, have been plagued by scar tissue caused by the radiation.  However, I am alive and kicking. On June 23 rd, I will have my 67th birthday and am happy to see each birthday roll around. As a retired nurse and a cancer survivor, I salute you and thank you."


"I, too, am a survivor of uterine cancer.  I'm lucky and blessed that I have a wonderful doctor who had the presence of mind to do a biopsy when I told her some of my symptoms. I had stage one uterine cancer, and a complete hysterectomy was all the treatment I needed. Today, a little over a year later, I'm totally fine."

"In 1991, I lost my 21 year old daughter to breast cancer. We spent two years going from doctor to doctor, only to be told that because she was a cheerleader and worked part-time as a waitress, she was suffering from stress and was given a prescription for Valium. My daughter was in Stage 4 breast cancer, and despite the best efforts of the medical team, my daughter lost her fight - a fight that could have been won, had she been diagnosed correctly, EARLIER! Thousands of women die yearly because of incorrect diagnoses and treatment. It is time for this situation to stop!"



"I had been having symptoms for several years. Bleeding between periods was the most prominent. I was only 39 when I first brought it up with my doctor. She said it wasn't blood stains, but urine. Two more years went by, two more times I was told not to worry.  By the fourth year, finally my doctor began to look concerned. She said I should have some tests.  By this time I had read your book. I said, "I want a biopsy. I'll pay for it myself." To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC uterine cancer and it had spread to my lymph nodes.  After a year of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, I was shell-shocked, bald, and broke, but alive. My prognosis isn't too great, but three years later, here I am."

 
"I had abdominal pain and other symptoms that I believed indicated polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS.  Eventually, my family practitioner led me to get an ultrasound and get the CA125 test. I had a large mass on my left ovary, which the doctor believed to be a cyst. She talked about removing the cyst and also my left ovary, stating that I "will be fine with only one ovary." I did not trust her casual attitude, so I sought a second opinion and ended up receiving a more accurate ultrasound. It was my choice if I wanted to have the cyst removed and I decided to do it. The surgery was 6 months ago, and about 9 months before that I lived in fear that I had ovarian cancer. It wasn't until after surgery and the cyst was removed that I was told I didn't have cancer. I consider myself extremely lucky. I have felt for years that women are being short-changed in healthcare. I do believe that it is somewhat changing now, but I am in total agreement with you about the need for better healthcare and better education."

"July 24 will mark 29 years since I was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer. People are astounded when they hear how long ago this journey started, and it wasn't until last year that I finally realized the significance of it all. 29 years ago, I was blessed with a wonderful doctor who had steady hands and a humble heart. He managed to get the affected ovary out without any spillage but, more imporantly, he had the humility to recognize that I should be followed up by a GYN oncologist."


"This November, I will be 24 years cancer free. I went through a pretty much the same thing you did. I was 19 and had just had a baby a few months before. I was diagnosed with everything from post partum depression to peritonitis. Finally, at age 26, I had a doctor that recommended a D&C.  A week later I was in the hospital for a hysterectomy, diagnosed with type 1 and early 2."


"I was 25 when I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer in 1999. The only thing I knew about cancer up to that age was how it made my father suffer for over three years before he died in 1992 of colon cancer at age 46. Most people at 25 are just enjoying life and planning for their future, I at age 25 was filled with fear that I might not have a future. I was fortunate that my cancer was only Stage 1. I give kudos to my GYN for being proactive in doing the endometrial biopsy and D&C, which found my cancer. She then wasted no time in referring me to a GYN-Oncologist for treatment. On June 21, 1999 I was admitted for a total hysterectomy, which "cured" me, thankfully."