Ovarian Cancer Alliance of San Diego

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Survivor Stories

I will forever be grateful to the turkey who gave his life to save mine. November 2006 I couldn’t eat any of the beautiful Thanksgiving meal I had prepared. This made me admit I wasn’t feeling well and made an appointment to see my doctor. That started me on a 12-year journey of prolonged ovarian cancer, stage 2C. I have faced three recurrences along with 65 rounds of chemotherapy and 16 rounds of radiation during this time frame. Click here to read more…

The Challenge

Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. As currently there is no screening test for the early detection of ovarian cancer, Ovarian Cancer Alliance of San Diego is working towards advancing cancer research and education of the medical community for early diagnosis; improving the quality of care for patients; and expanding their community outreach program to include all gynecologic cancer awareness to civic groups, organizations and the general public throughout the San Diego County.

How We Take Action

Explore our website to learn about our dedicated volunteers and members, our multi-faceted advocacy efforts and relevant advances and resources for information about ovarian cancer, and opportunities to participate.

Ovarian Cancer Alliance of San Diego

OCA of San Diego was founded by Peg Ford, ovarian cancer survivor, and Kathy Hagan who lost her mother to ovarian cancer.

Peg implemented the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s Survivors Teaching Students® Program (click here) at UCSD School of Medicine for Third Year Medical Students in December 2008 and further expanded the program to currently eleven schools of nursing throughout San Diego County.

In 2013, Ovarian Cancer Alliance of San Diego launched an innovative program HEAR™ (click here) to inspire women to be aware of their bodies and be their own advocates to get care in a timely fashion. This is but one example of how patients are becoming a vital part of medical treatments and partnering in such a beneficial way that can change the healthcare system!

For any questions about our organization, please email President@ocaofsd.org. Thank you.

STS® Testimonials

The following are testimonials from attendees of the STS® (Survivors teaching Students) presentations we offer to schools throughout San Diego County:

Helped us understand how insidious/rapid the onset can be.

It was helpful hearing the patient’s perspective of hearing about the diagnosis.

It has put real faces to the disease and added gravity to my perspective.

Certainly, put it in my mind to consider when seeing a patient with concerning symptoms.

Yes, hearing the story gives you a pattern to recognize if a patient with a similar story comes your way.

Yes, this was much better than having a lecture, the experience with story in my head is much longer.

It has made me more aware and likely to listen to women patients when they feel something isn’t right.

This was a fabulous presentation! Thank you. I will put ovarian cancer on my DDX for urinary concerns along with abdominal bloating.

Summary of OCASD Activities

OCASD has been making presentations to numerous community groups since December 2008 when the first presentation was made to 16 third year medical students at UCSD School of Medicine.

Since that time numerous presentations have been made to the medical community, community groups, civic organizations and the general public in order to expand awareness of the factors to look for with Ovarian Cancer.

Below is a graph of the truly signifiant number of people reached through OCASD activities!

Know the Symptoms and Take Action!

Ovarian Cancer Facts:

  • All women are at risk.
  • Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of the gynecological cancers.
  • Pap smears detect cervical cancer not ovarian cancer.
  • Symptoms may be subtle.
  • When detected early and treated properly, more than 90% of women survive longer than 5 years.

 

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms:

  • Bloating
  • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
  • Need to urinate often or urgently
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain

 

Other symptoms commonly reported:

  • Fatigue
  • Indigestion
  • Back pain
  • Constipation
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • Pain with intercourse

Take Action:
See your doctor, preferably a gynecologist, if you have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks and they are unusual for you. Experts suggest a combination of pelvic exam, CA-125 blood test and trans-vaginal ultrasound. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.

For any questions about our organization, please email President@ocaofsd.org. Thank you.