I want to thank David Marchetti, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of GYN/OB and Gynecologic Oncology, SUNY at Buffalo for taking the time to discuss Ovarian Cancer and the recent article “Intraperitoneal Cisplatin and Paclitaxel in Ovarian Cancer”. It is important for all women to be aware of this serious disease. We all must be vigilant of the signs, symptoms and risk factors for Ovarian Cancer. We must be compliant with seeking healthcare from the available expert medical providers to strive for the earliest possible diagnosis of this deadliest of Gynecologic Cancers.

The warning signs of cancer of the ovary include:
· Discomfort in the pelvic region
· Indigestion, gas, or bloating that can’t be explained
· Abnormal vaginal bleeding
· Abdominal pressure or discomfort
· Urinary frequency, constipation or diarrhea
· Unusual fatigue
· Unexplained weight loss or gain
· Shortness of breath
Many cases of cancer of the ovary often are hard to detect until it is in an advanced stage.

Some factors may increase a woman’s risk:
· Had no children
· Have not used birth control pills
· Have a family history of the disease
· Have had breast cancer
· Have a family history of breast cancer
· Age (women older than 60 years have the highest risk)
· Changes in certain genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2)

If this cancer is found and treated early, the cure rate is good. Patients whose cancer has not spread outside the ovary have an 80–95% chance of living 5 years or longer after treatment. There is no sure way to screen for cancer of the ovary. Your doctor may be able to feel a cyst on one or both ovaries during your annual pelvic exam. Very few of these cysts will prove to be cancer. All should be checked for future growth.

Some factors may decrease a woman’s risk for ovarian cancer:
· Have used birth control pills
· Have had tubal sterilization
· Have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
· Have had at least one child and have breastfed
Certain women who are at high risk for ovarian cancer may reduce their risk by having an oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries).

Remember that you need to be proactive about your own health. Take action if you have noted any signs or symptoms, especially if persistent. Consult a healthcare professional preferably your gynecologist or a gynecologic oncologist. Experts recommend a pelvic/rectal exam, transvaginal sonogram, and a CA 125 blood test. Pap tests rarely detect ovarian cancer.

For further information please refer to the following links:
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
Ovarian Cancer Alliance of WNY, Inc.
American Cancer Society

I want to take a minute and say Happy Valentine’s Day to my husband. You have been such a blessing to my life. I find you staring at me sometimes and will look at you and say “What?” And you say to me, after 27 years, “I can’t believe how beautiful you are….really beautiful!” You don’t know what that does to me. It makes me feel so loved…Thank you for that. When I screw up…. or forget something… you are the first to tell me not to worry about it. When I backed out of the driveway right into your car and woke you to tell you… you asked “Is anyone hurt?” I said no and you replied “Don’t worry about it.” I really love you for that. You slept on the floor of a hanger in an airplane museum last night with a dozen boy scouts… I really love you for that… You hunt for music for my show… Thank you… You have always trusted my instincts with the kids and their schooling …. I love you for that…
You are easy going… Thank you… Sometimes I’m not… You don’t mind when I haven’t had time to straighten up the house… You know that eventually it gets done… Thank you for that… Thank you for all of the laundry you do and the dishes you do and the way you love our kids…
Thank you for taking such good care of your patients…The kids are watching every time you leave quickly and go to the hospital and they are watching when your beeper goes off and you’re on the phone… They see the way you care for others… Thank you for being such a great example to them… Our sons will become beautiful men because of you… And our daughter will be searching high and low for someone to measure up to you…
For every time you bring me a cup of tea or buy a paper for me or call just to say hello…. Thank you so much… I never thought when we got married that I would love you so much…

And I hope for all of you out there that might think that the relationship that you are in is not perfect… I hope you realize that none of them are… But there are so many everyday things that you can look at and see as a blessing… It is so much easier to learn to love the person you’re with than try to leave and tear apart a family and look for someone perfect. There is no such a person.

Happy Valentines Day Dennis. Thank you for being who you are…

Jammies for GI’s has united with Faces for Fundraising to create an American Flag Mosiac made from creative self portraits drawn by different people like you and me! Up close you will be able to see the creative portraits; from a distance it blends together to form the appearance of the American Flag. You do not need to be an artist to participate, just relax and get creative. The first deadline is March 2, 2006. Get involved and support this worthy cause. Jammies for GI’s has done so much to support our injured and rehabilitating troops by providing them with many items and clothing to help make their revovery and transition a little easier.

New York State Assemblyman Mark Schroeder and the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy are sponsoring a Health Fair on February 11, 2006 from 9 AM to 1 PM at Trocaire College. At least 20 counselors will be available to help Medicare beneficiaries pick a plan and answer questions about Medicare’s New Prescription Drug Benefit Plan (Medicare Part D) and the New York State sponsored plan EPIC. So if you have not yet chosen a prescription drug program or if you know someone who needs to (i.e. parent or grandparent) please take advantage of this opportunity.