Tell us your symptoms before you were dx with cancer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping to start this thread to help others with early detection. Can you share your own symptoms or your loved one's?

My mother passed away less than a year ago of ovarian cancer. She was losing weight fast, had less appetite, was a little more tired, and suddenly could no longer have a bowel movement. By then it was stage IIIc. She was given 17 months to live but she lived 6 years.

This is a terrible thread. Also, the evidence supporting the benefits of early detection is very limited for many cancers.

Why do you think it's terrible?

Not the PP, but she's probably saying it's terrible because it's depressing and anxiety-producing because you may have one or two similar symptoms and it makes you think, "Oh no, what if it's cancer?"

So sorry for everyone's losses. Cancer sucks. We've got to live our lives right now while we can!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping to start this thread to help others with early detection. Can you share your own symptoms or your loved one's?

My mother passed away less than a year ago of ovarian cancer. She was losing weight fast, had less appetite, was a little more tired, and suddenly could no longer have a bowel movement. By then it was stage IIIc. She was given 17 months to live but she lived 6 years.

This is a terrible thread. Also, the evidence supporting the benefits of early detection is very limited for many cancers.

I would've liked to have more than 6 weeks with my dad. He was given a death sentence, and I wish those last week's weren't spent tying up
Loose ends to prepare for his death.

[Anonymous]

I found a lump. I wish I had a mammogram earlier but I unfortunately followed the new recommendations that came out from the U.S. Preventative Health Services in 2009 that stated it was best to wait until age 50 for mammograms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping to start this thread to help others with early detection. Can you share your own symptoms or your loved one's?

My mother passed away less than a year ago of ovarian cancer. She was losing weight fast, had less appetite, was a little more tired, and suddenly could no longer have a bowel movement. By then it was stage IIIc. She was given 17 months to live but she lived 6 years.

Im going to contribute something positive since you sound anxious OP. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer 30 years ago. I was 11. She had less than 10% chance of surviving five years. She did 9months of chemo and has been in remission completely ever since. Every dr I have given my family history too is always in shock she is still alive. Her symptoms were first diagnosed as a bladder infection. Swollen belly, feeling pressure to pee. This went on for a few months (I dont know every detail since I was so young). A urologist finally made a diagnoses and things moved very quickly. Like within a few days she has a hysterectomy and started chemo about 4 weeks after that. Miracles happen.

That is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I am glad your mom got to see you grow up. My child is 11 and I am fighting cancer now and that is all I can think about. I hope there are many miracles to go around!

[Anonymous]

My symptom at age 43 was a slight thickening of my breast less than a year after a clear mammogram. Stage 1 breast cancer; no family history.

[Anonymous]

Is ovarian cancer the cancer that there is no early detection for? Or is that cervical cancer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is ovarian cancer the cancer that there is no early detection for? Or is that cervical cancer?

Ovarian has vague symptoms. Cervical can be detected by a Pap smear

[Anonymous]

Yes, there was a thread like this a few years ago.

For me, mole that had partially darkened (significantly), a year after it had bled. Stage 1 melanoma cancer at age 40.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping to start this thread to help others with early detection. Can you share your own symptoms or your loved one's?

My mother passed away less than a year ago of ovarian cancer. She was losing weight fast, had less appetite, was a little more tired, and suddenly could no longer have a bowel movement. By then it was stage IIIc. She was given 17 months to live but she lived 6 years.

Im going to contribute something positive since you sound anxious OP. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer 30 years ago. I was 11. She had less than 10% chance of surviving five years. She did 9months of chemo and has been in remission completely ever since. Every dr I have given my family history too is always in shock she is still alive. Her symptoms were first diagnosed as a bladder infection. Swollen belly, feeling pressure to pee. This went on for a few months (I dont know every detail since I was so young). A urologist finally made a diagnoses and things moved very quickly. Like within a few days she has a hysterectomy and started chemo about 4 weeks after that. Miracles happen.

That is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I am glad your mom got to see you grow up. My child is 11 and I am fighting cancer now and that is all I can think about. I hope there are many miracles to go around!

Sending you all good wishes for your restored health and long life!

[Anonymous]

I don't have cancer but a family member does. Her first symptom of lymphoma was pain in her leg that wouldn't go away. After seeing about 10 different doctors, she was finally diagnosed accurately and started chemo. That was 10 years ago, and she's fine now, but has regular check-ups every six months in case it returns.

A 43 year old woman I know had a persistant stomach ache. She took antacids and stomach meds for months, but it got worse and worse, and she was finally diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She died two years later.

Another friend was diagnosed with cancer after a routine colonoscopy at age 50. No symptoms whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

I had bone cancer as a kid. My knee was constantly in pain and aching, but my parents thought it was just growing pains. They ignored my complaining for over a year, and I ended up having my leg from the knee down amputated. I've been in remission for over twenty years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping to start this thread to help others with early detection. Can you share your own symptoms or your loved one's?

My mother passed away less than a year ago of ovarian cancer. She was losing weight fast, had less appetite, was a little more tired, and suddenly could no longer have a bowel movement. By then it was stage IIIc. She was given 17 months to live but she lived 6 years.

Same symptoms with my dad, but he also had back and stomach pain. He was diagnosed stage 4 pancreatic and dead within 6 weeks.

Similar to my mom - thought she had a UTI but didn't feel better w/ antibiotics and also had a pulling feeling in her abdomen. Otherwise she was in amazing health. Diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer & dead 7 weeks later.

[Anonymous]

I had low-grade fevers, bad gas-like pains after eating and a bit of blood in my stool. Was losing lots of weight but chalked it up to breastfeeding since I was less than a year postpartum. I have Stage III colon cancer.

[Anonymous]

I had a mole that got a little pointy on one end, and had several colors in it. Stage 1 melanoma. I was only 21. I'm alive today because I happened to have a dermatologist appointment anyway and mentioned it to him. Check your moles!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had low-grade fevers, bad gas-like pains after eating and a bit of blood in my stool. Was losing lots of weight but chalked it up to breastfeeding since I was less than a year postpartum. I have Stage III colon cancer.

Are you having chemotherapy now. I am sending you positive thoughts and prayers.