A Conversation That Matters

There was a time not very long ago, when as a society, we were uncomfortable talking about breast cancer. Like many other cancers, it was a mystery. A radical mastectomy was the usual course of treatment, and it was invasive - barbaric even. But as patients, women did not question their doctors or the prescribed treatments. But it wasn't effective, as nearly a third of the patients had their cancer return because more than likely, it had metastasized elsewhere before they had ever been treated. The lumpectomy emerged as the preferred treatment option for women whose cancer was more localized. By the mid 1980's research proved that the radical mastectomy produced no better result than the lumpectomy, and breast cancer patients became the driving force to demand changes in breast cancer treatment protocol.

In the thirty years since that study, breast cancer has become the most talked about of all the cancers. And the awareness has been brought about by patients, their doctors, their caregivers, and their family, friends and coworkers. Amazing new treatments and preventative diagnostic tests have made breast health an indispensable part of women's health care. The pink ribbon has evolved from a symbol of strength and solidarity to one of the most recognized symbols of health awareness and fundraising in the world - non profit and for profit.

But not all women's cancers are 'pink'.

September is National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. And like breast cancer some forty or so years ago, we are reluctant and embarrassed to talk about these 'below the belt' cancers. We don't want to talk about our vaginas, ovaries, uteri or any other girly parts. Unfortunately, this reluctance is literally killing us. Every day in the United States, 270 women are told they have a gynecologic cancer. That's 8,100 newly diagnosed women by the end of September. And sadly, 1 in every 3 will die from their disease.

The problem is WE DON’T KNOW. I can't tell you how many times a gyn cancer SurTHIVEor has told me 'I didn't know I was having symptoms'. Hell, I can't tell you how many time I'VE said that! My ovarian and uterine cancer symptoms were things I experienced on a regular basis - bloating, back ache, indigestion. Had any of my gynecologists or general practitioners EVER had a conversation with me about gynecologic cancers other than cervical cancer?

NO. And that needs to change.

It's time to start a conversation that matters - it's time to talk about gynecologic cancers. It's time to stop being embarrassed about our girly parts and to start asking questions. It's time to hold our doctors to a higher level, and to become proactive participants in our healthcare. It's time to become our own advocates, and just like our breast cancer SurTHRIVEor sisters decades ago, DEMAND CHANGE.

This September, I am taking my gyn cancer advocacy to the next level by joining the newly created and SurTHRIVEor driven #GynCAN Challenge – and posting to all of my social media accounts every day this month in an effort to raise gynecologic cancer awareness. I am challenging my followers to do the same. Together we can initiate the change we so desperately need.

Teal Every Woman Knows.........

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

As an Ovarian Cancer 'Surthrivor', this month has great meaning to me. One of the gifts my cancer has given me is the desire to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and use my experience to help ensure less women go through what I went through.

But in the three years since my diagnosis, surgery and chemo, I have noticed that the campaign to raise ovarian cancer awareness doesn't have quite the momentum that breast cancer does. The 'Big Pink Machine' as I call it, has turned Breast Cancer Awareness Month into a year round awareness project. And while I do not mean any disrespect to my BRCA sisters, awareness is a great thing, but I get pretty irritated when I walk into a big box store (that will remain unnamed) on September 1st, and run into a big Wall O'Pink right inside the front door. It's SEPTEMBER!!! Where's the TEAL???? Where is MY awareness?? Why is my cancer less important??

More towns turn pink in October than teal in September. But my beloved hometown of Huntington, New York gets major props for turning teal. Friends that still live there have sent pictures of the parking meters ribboned in teal. I love it!! And yet, I am hard pressed to find the same here in Raleigh, North Carolina.

There are organizations in the area that are working to change that, and I am fortunate to be able to participate in The Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk & 5K Run again this year. This year $311,000 were raised and donated to Duke Cancer Center, earmarked specifically for ovarian cancer research. My team - Team Phoenix - raised $2233 and had 20 team members. We walked in honor and in memory of many wonderful women. A very moving and emotional day for me.

But still, I don't think enough is done to make women aware of ovarian cancer. And while many more women will be diagnosed with breast cancer than ovarian cancer this year, the percentage of women that survive ovarian cancer is at least 30% less than those that survive breast cancer.

It is the most deadly of all the GYN cancers. And unlike cervical and breast cancer, ovarian cancer has no early detection test. So knowing the symptoms and being aware of your body are your best defense against it. So WHY are we not talking about it??

I got the idea in my head that I was going to change that. I decided to make my own ovarian cancer Public Service Announcement. So I asked my friend Forrest MacCormack to help me. The result is so much more amazing than I imagined, and I am excited with how it's turned out. Forrest is a good friend, and a brilliant photographer. The almost finished product is here for you to watch and hopefully share with your friends and family. It's my way of starting my own grass roots ovarian cancer awareness campaign. After I've got you all aware of ovarian cancer, we're going to start talking about all cancers.

Because to me, every cancer deserves attention, every life deserves to be saved.

Thank you God for my healing.

Namaste,

Nicole