Lung Cancer:
Symptoms
Many people do not have symptoms, or have only vague symptoms, until the disease has progressed significantly. As a result, only 15% of lung cancers are discovered in early stages, when the possibility of curative treatment is greatest. When lung cancer does cause symptoms, they can include:
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Fatigue
• Chest, shoulder, upper back, or arm pain
• Repeated pneumonia or bronchitis
• Blood coughed up in sputum (hemoptysis)
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• General pain
• Hoarseness
• Wheezing
• Swelling in the face or neck
Sometimes, symptoms may seem unrelated to the lungs or breathing. Because lung cancer usually is diagnosed in a later stage, the primary cancer may have already spread to the other lung or other parts of the body. Depending upon where the cancer spreads and which organs are affected, symptoms can also include headaches, bleeding, weakness, bone fractures, or blood clots.
Many people with early lung cancer do not have symptoms, so the disease is often not diagnosed until after it has spread. A person who experiences any of the following symptoms should see a doctor:
• a cough or chest pain that doesn't go away
• a wheezing sound when breathing
• shortness of breath
• coughing up blood
• hoarseness
• swelling in the face and neck
Lung Cancer Alliance:
On Wednesday, October 26, 2006 the New England Journal of Medicine published a paper by Claudia Henschke, MD and David Yankelevitz, MD founders and principle investigators of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) on the results of their 13 year study on screening for lung cancer.
The landmark study found that with CT Screening lung cancer can be detected at the earliest stage (Stage I) in 85% of patients and can lead to an estimated 10 year survival rate of 88%. The estimated 10 year survival rate goes even higher, to 92%, for those whose early detected cancers are removed immediately.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Ovarian Cancer Facts:
Ovarian Cancer
Statistics
-Ovarian cancer is the 8th most common cancer among women and ranks 5th in cancer deaths among women.
-A woman’s lifetime risk of getting ovarian cancer is about 1 in 70, or 1.4%.
-Her lifetime chance of dying from ovarian cancer is about 1 in 95, or 1.05%.
-The 5-year survival rate is 20-30% if diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease.
-The 5-year survival rate is 90-95% if diagnosed early as Stage I.
-Only 25-30% of all ovarian cancers are detected at this early stage.
Risk Factors: increase the odds of getting a disease but do not guarantee that it will occur.
-Research has found several risk factors that have been shown to increase the risk of a woman developing epithelial ovarian cancer, which accounts for 85-90% of all ovarian cancers.
-Age- Half of all ovarian cancers are detected in women older than 63 years of age.
-Obesity- An American Cancer Society study found a higher death rate in obese women.
-Reproductive history- There may be a relationship between an increasing number of menstrual cycles in a woman’s lifetime and her risk of developing ovarian cancer. This includes onset of menstruation before age 12, childbearing after age 30 or never having any children, and/or menopause after age 50.
-Family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer- Risk is increased if your mother, sister, or daughter has had ovarian cancer, with a higher risk if the cancer occurred before age 55. About 10% of ovarian cancers have a hereditary tendency, which includes a mutation in the breast cancer gene BRCA1 or BRCA2.
-Personal history of breast cancer.
Screening: exams and tests meant to detect a disease in patients without symptoms.
-There is presently NO type of screening method that has proven effective in lowering the number of deaths caused by ovarian cancer.
-The most thoroughly studies screening tests are measuring a CA-125 level in the blood or using pelvic ultrasound, but neither is recommended for screening.
-CA-125 can be falsely elevated in many benign conditions and is not elevated in all ovarian cancers.
-Pelvic ultrasound is helpful in detecting a mass in the ovary, but it cannot accurately determine which masses are cancerous and which are benign.
Signs and Symptoms
-Abdominal swelling or bloating
-Pelvic pressure or abdominal pain
-Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
-Constipation
-Indigestion
-Urinary urgency or frequency
-Back pain
-Fatigue
-Unexplained weight loss
*The best way to detect ovarian cancer early is for both the patient and the physician to have a high index of suspicion if symptoms arise. Although the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are vague, studies have shown that women with ovarian cancer are symptomatic several months before diagnosis, even with early-stage disease.
Prevention
-Some things can be done to lower a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer, namely epithelial ovarian cancer.
-Oral contraceptives- Use of oral contraceptives for 3 or more years lowers the risk of developing ovarian cancer by 30 to 50% compared to women who never used oral contraceptives.
-Tubal ligation or hysterectomy- Tubal ligation may decrease the risk of developing ovarian cancer by up to 67%.
-Pregnancy and breast feeding.
-Diet- Several studies have shown that a diet high in vegetables reduced the risk of ovarian cancer.
-Prophylactic oophorectomy- For select women at high risk of inherited ovarian cancer, removal of the ovaries after childbearing is an option. However, this does not eliminate the risk of primary peritoneal cancer, which behaves like ovarian cancer.
Statistics
-Ovarian cancer is the 8th most common cancer among women and ranks 5th in cancer deaths among women.
-A woman’s lifetime risk of getting ovarian cancer is about 1 in 70, or 1.4%.
-Her lifetime chance of dying from ovarian cancer is about 1 in 95, or 1.05%.
-The 5-year survival rate is 20-30% if diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease.
-The 5-year survival rate is 90-95% if diagnosed early as Stage I.
-Only 25-30% of all ovarian cancers are detected at this early stage.
Risk Factors: increase the odds of getting a disease but do not guarantee that it will occur.
-Research has found several risk factors that have been shown to increase the risk of a woman developing epithelial ovarian cancer, which accounts for 85-90% of all ovarian cancers.
-Age- Half of all ovarian cancers are detected in women older than 63 years of age.
-Obesity- An American Cancer Society study found a higher death rate in obese women.
-Reproductive history- There may be a relationship between an increasing number of menstrual cycles in a woman’s lifetime and her risk of developing ovarian cancer. This includes onset of menstruation before age 12, childbearing after age 30 or never having any children, and/or menopause after age 50.
-Family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer- Risk is increased if your mother, sister, or daughter has had ovarian cancer, with a higher risk if the cancer occurred before age 55. About 10% of ovarian cancers have a hereditary tendency, which includes a mutation in the breast cancer gene BRCA1 or BRCA2.
-Personal history of breast cancer.
Screening: exams and tests meant to detect a disease in patients without symptoms.
-There is presently NO type of screening method that has proven effective in lowering the number of deaths caused by ovarian cancer.
-The most thoroughly studies screening tests are measuring a CA-125 level in the blood or using pelvic ultrasound, but neither is recommended for screening.
-CA-125 can be falsely elevated in many benign conditions and is not elevated in all ovarian cancers.
-Pelvic ultrasound is helpful in detecting a mass in the ovary, but it cannot accurately determine which masses are cancerous and which are benign.
Signs and Symptoms
-Abdominal swelling or bloating
-Pelvic pressure or abdominal pain
-Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
-Constipation
-Indigestion
-Urinary urgency or frequency
-Back pain
-Fatigue
-Unexplained weight loss
*The best way to detect ovarian cancer early is for both the patient and the physician to have a high index of suspicion if symptoms arise. Although the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are vague, studies have shown that women with ovarian cancer are symptomatic several months before diagnosis, even with early-stage disease.
Prevention
-Some things can be done to lower a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer, namely epithelial ovarian cancer.
-Oral contraceptives- Use of oral contraceptives for 3 or more years lowers the risk of developing ovarian cancer by 30 to 50% compared to women who never used oral contraceptives.
-Tubal ligation or hysterectomy- Tubal ligation may decrease the risk of developing ovarian cancer by up to 67%.
-Pregnancy and breast feeding.
-Diet- Several studies have shown that a diet high in vegetables reduced the risk of ovarian cancer.
-Prophylactic oophorectomy- For select women at high risk of inherited ovarian cancer, removal of the ovaries after childbearing is an option. However, this does not eliminate the risk of primary peritoneal cancer, which behaves like ovarian cancer.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Geaton DeCesaris
In October 2002 Geaton DeCesaris, Jr. was diagnosed with stage 3C lung cancer. He lived with his health issues with an unbelievable will to survive, taking God as his partner. His unwavering faith is inspiring. He was surrounded by the unconditional love of his awesome wife JoAnn, five daughters, two sons-in-law, three adorable granddaughters, eight siblings, their spouses and children and countless friends and extended family. The lives that have been touched and inspired by Geaton's fortitude are too many to count.
Maureen Prout
After several months of varying complaints, Maureen Prout was diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer in February 2002.
Maureen’s symptoms started with back cramps, but the Dr.’s said she probably pulled a muscle. She had indigestion but was prescribed Zantac. Her stomach was bloated, they said diet. She had even mentioned this sneaky unheard of “Ovarian Cancer” to her gynecologist, but was quickly dismissed.
Why? She asked, which maybe you are now asking too.
Ovarian Cancer “Whispers.” The disease has symptoms—lots of them; but most women do not realize gas, indigestion, cramping, & bloating are RED FLAGS for Ovarian Cancer. Maureen had all of those symptoms. Like most women, she did not realize that miscarriages, ovarian cysts, use of fertility drugs, breast cancer and other contributing factors greatly increase your risk of Ovarian Cancer. It was heart breaking when she found out that although “only” 1 in 55 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, over 15,000 ovarian cancer victims will die this year.
Maureen sought out the best treatment centers and doctors available. For five good years, these doctors treated her to the best of their ability. She was able to witness the birth of two beautiful grandchildren and spend time with her beloved husband, Charley, her son, Bill, his wife, Megan, and her daughter Beth Lennon and son-in-law, Chris.
On January 24, 2007, after almost five years, several different types of chemo, and more than 150 treatments, Maureen succumbed to the disease; a fate that most other ovarian cancer patients face.
Maureen sums up her outlook on life with cancer with the following:
"As many of you know I was diagnosed with stage III C Ovarian Cancer in January 2002 - yes four plus years ago and over a 100 chemotherapy treatments since. Cancer has changed my life, but for the better in many ways. I've learned to love more, smile more, and pray more. I count my blessings, which are many, and look forward to the good days ahead. I could not take this journey alone & I thank God for my family, friends, and medical staff, who have been there every step of the way. Remember ~ there is life with cancer & it can be a very good life!"
Marueen Prout
DeCesaris/Prout Championship Golf Tournament; June 2006
Maureen’s symptoms started with back cramps, but the Dr.’s said she probably pulled a muscle. She had indigestion but was prescribed Zantac. Her stomach was bloated, they said diet. She had even mentioned this sneaky unheard of “Ovarian Cancer” to her gynecologist, but was quickly dismissed.
Why? She asked, which maybe you are now asking too.
Ovarian Cancer “Whispers.” The disease has symptoms—lots of them; but most women do not realize gas, indigestion, cramping, & bloating are RED FLAGS for Ovarian Cancer. Maureen had all of those symptoms. Like most women, she did not realize that miscarriages, ovarian cysts, use of fertility drugs, breast cancer and other contributing factors greatly increase your risk of Ovarian Cancer. It was heart breaking when she found out that although “only” 1 in 55 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, over 15,000 ovarian cancer victims will die this year.
Maureen sought out the best treatment centers and doctors available. For five good years, these doctors treated her to the best of their ability. She was able to witness the birth of two beautiful grandchildren and spend time with her beloved husband, Charley, her son, Bill, his wife, Megan, and her daughter Beth Lennon and son-in-law, Chris.
On January 24, 2007, after almost five years, several different types of chemo, and more than 150 treatments, Maureen succumbed to the disease; a fate that most other ovarian cancer patients face.
Maureen sums up her outlook on life with cancer with the following:
"As many of you know I was diagnosed with stage III C Ovarian Cancer in January 2002 - yes four plus years ago and over a 100 chemotherapy treatments since. Cancer has changed my life, but for the better in many ways. I've learned to love more, smile more, and pray more. I count my blessings, which are many, and look forward to the good days ahead. I could not take this journey alone & I thank God for my family, friends, and medical staff, who have been there every step of the way. Remember ~ there is life with cancer & it can be a very good life!"
Marueen Prout
DeCesaris/Prout Championship Golf Tournament; June 2006
Our Story
Through the DeCesaris/Prout Golf Championship, Beth and JoAnn have raised over $500,000 in the past five years to support cancer awareness and research. The money has been given to the American Cancer Society, Brigham and Women’s Lung Cancer Research, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Mercy Medical Center’s Gynological Oncology Department.
Through awareness, countless lives have been saved.
JoAnn and Beth have poured their hearts and souls into bringing light to the fight against lung and ovarian cancers.
In 2008, The DeCesaris/Prout Cancer Foundation will be raising funds to support cancer research at the best medical institutions in the United States.
Through awareness, countless lives have been saved.
JoAnn and Beth have poured their hearts and souls into bringing light to the fight against lung and ovarian cancers.
In 2008, The DeCesaris/Prout Cancer Foundation will be raising funds to support cancer research at the best medical institutions in the United States.
DeCesaris Prout Cancer Foundation
Our Mission
- To make a profound affect in research on lung and ovarian cancer.
- To bring awareness to those who don't know they are at risk.
- To make a difference in this dreadful disease by not only better treatment options, but finding a cure!
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