Ovarian cancer survivor Jane McGrath
Jane McGrath had been living in London for a few months back in 2002 with her four-year-old son and her husband, Doug, who was directing a movie, when she started feeling bloated. The bloating became so noticeable that two people asked her whether she was pregnant. Around this time, she also developed a backache that she blamed on an unfamiliar mattress.
“I was very lethargic and couldn’t muster up the enthusiasm to do much,” recalls Jane. “It was unlike me.”
Soon after returning home to New York City, Jane’s family was on vacation when her niece playfully jumped into her lap. After she “spent the better part of the day reeling from the pain,” Jane realized she needed to see a doctor right away.
A few days later, her ob-gyn saw something unusual during a transvaginal ultrasound, an imaging test in which an instrument with a camera is inserted into the vagina to visualize the ovaries and uterus.
“That was my first ‘red flag’ that something was wrong because my doctor stared at the monitor for what I deemed to be way too long,” Jane remembers. To confirm her doctor’s suspicions, she underwent a second scan, which revealed a growth the size of an orange on her left ovary.
A 50-50 Chance of Ovarian Cancer
Even though the diagnosis was uncertain, Jane’s ob-gyn made her an appointment at Memorial Sloan Kettering with gynecologic surgeon Nadeem R. Abu-Rustum.
She explains, “My doctor said, ‘If it’s not cancer, then you’ve had surgery at a great hospital. But if it is cancer, then you’ll be staged properly and have the tumor removed at the same time.’” The stage of ovarian cancer is based on how far the cancer has spread in the body, and can be determined through surgery.
During her first appointment, Jane learned that Dr. Abu-Rustum thought she had a 50-50 chance of ovarian cancer, based on her previous test results.
Ovarian cancer—the second most common type of gynecologic cancer in the United States —begins in the ovaries, the female reproductive glands in which eggs are formed, or the fallopian tubes, the channels that carry eggs to the uterus. Common symptoms of the disease include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary issues such as frequent urination and bladder pressure.
Many times women are diagnosed with later-stage disease because these symptoms are thought to indicate other conditions and are not recognized to be those of ovarian cancer.
Jane had a CT scan, and surgery was scheduled within a week of her appointment. The day before her operation, Dr. Abu-Rustum called to say that her CT scan was “highly suspicious for cancer” and that she should prepare herself not only for a cancer diagnosis but also a hysterectomy – the surgical removal of her uterus.
“At this point I was nearly 45, so Doug and I knew my chances of getting pregnant again were already slim,” Jane says. “Still, hearing I had cancer and was going to need a hysterectomy felt like a double whammy.”
Back to topThe Big Zipper Surgery
During surgery, an immediate analysis of Jane’s tumor tissue revealed that it was cancerous. Dr. Abu-Rustum proceeded to perform a debulking operation – the standard surgery for ovarian cancer. He removed the tumor along with Jane’s ovaries, uterus, lymph nodes, and all evidence of cancer that he could see.
When she woke up, with Doug and Dr. Abu-Rustum by her side, Jane learned that she had cancer and needed chemotherapy. But, with a smile on his face, Dr. Abu-Rustum said that her cancer was caught at its most treatable stage, and she was therefore very lucky.
As he explains, “Most of the time we find ovarian cancer more advanced than stage I. Jane fortunately was diagnosed early.”
Jane adds, “From that moment on, I felt very confident that I could beat it. And my son was like a little carrot dangling in front of my nose – I had to get better for him.”
Under the care of medical oncologist Paul Sabbatini, Jane went through six rounds of combination chemotherapy with carboplatin and taxol, a standard regimen for ovarian cancer.
Because ovarian cancer can often come back after the initial treatment and remission, Jane was scared early on about having a recurrence. Despite these fears, Jane says of her oncologist, “He always put me at ease and was so calm.”
“For all our patients, including Jane,” Dr. Sabbatini says, “finishing chemotherapy can be an anxious time. We try to provide confidence that if there is a recurrence, there are treatment options available – with newer and more-innovative approaches being developed all the time.”
Back to topFinding a Way to Give Back
With her cancer in remission and feeling grateful for health, Jane has sought ways to help other women with ovarian cancer through advocacy and volunteering.
She tries to spread the message to others about the often overlooked signs of this disease, recognizing that having her symptoms evaluated early probably saved her life. Jane has volunteered since 2005 with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s “Survivors Teaching Students: Saving Women’s Lives.” This national program involves ovarian cancer survivors speaking about their symptoms and medical stories to third-year medical students.
Still looking for a way to “thank everyone at Memorial Sloan Kettering who helped save my life,” Jane became a patient-to-patient volunteer at the hospital in 2010. With the help of the volunteer office, she is paired with women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, who talk with her about their questions and fears, which range from treatment to side effects.
“After you’ve been diagnosed, you have a million questions swirling around your head,” Jane says, “and you may not want to take up your doctor’s time – or feel comfortable asking – some of your more personal questions. I think that speaking to a woman who has been through it and survived gives people a lot of hope. It’s been a cathartic and rewarding experience for me to talk about my cancer, and I hope my story will generate a greater awareness about the disease.”
Back to topComments
Jane B. MacNeil
Aug 9, 2012 • 12:55 PM
Margaret
Aug 17, 2012 • 2:55 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Aug 17, 2012 • 4:26 PM
In reply to I would love the opportunity by Margaret
You can find more information about our patient-to-patient support program here: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/counseling-support/patient-patient-sup…. Thanks for your comment!
Toby
Aug 21, 2012 • 3:04 PM
Christine Garcelon
Sep 6, 2012 • 10:13 PM
I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer in 2008. I had a complete
Hysterectomy and received Cisplatin and Taxol. I had 5 months of treatment
with a Port in my clavical and a Port in my stomach. I had wonderful Oncologist/Gynecologist as well as an Oncologist. I am now a 4 year survivor. I thank Laura Mercier for launching the Laura Mercier Ovarian
Cancer Research Fund. I will definitely buy her product to support. I lost a
Sister to Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer and Ovarian go hand in hand.
Thank You so much for making more people aware of this Cancer.
Richard Francis
Nov 22, 2012 • 6:39 PM
My daughter was diagnosed 11/20/12 with stage 4 ovarian, mixed germ cell immature tertoma. Unusal metastesis to bones. B.E.P. chemo to start Monday, 11/26. Great surgeon / ocologist, Mercy Hosp in Pgh, PA but has not seen this. Long time donor to MSK, wife is 6 yr breast CA survivor. How do we find consult help from MSK?
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Nov 23, 2012 • 7:16 AM
In reply to My daughter was diagnosed by Richard Francis
Hi Richard, if you’d like to make an appointment with a doctor at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, please call 800-525-2225 or go to http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/appointment. Thank you for your comment.
Fred Schecter
Dec 27, 2012 • 12:34 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Dec 27, 2012 • 3:23 PM
In reply to My wife and I are sitting at by Fred Schecter
Marina
Dec 31, 2012 • 7:15 PM
i underwent a surgery (hysterectomy) and a long chemo iv and ip for ovarian cancer in 2010. I just recently discovered that cancer had spread into my chest and I am still waiting to find out the results of my ct for the abdomen and pelvic to see if it spread anywhere else. what are my chances and is there any latest treatment for this condition. thanks, Marina
Unfortunately, we are unable to answer personal medical questions on our blog. If you’d like to make an appointment with a Memorial Sloan-Kettering physician, please call 800-525-2225.
Marcia Budd
Nov 1, 2013 • 1:31 PM
I was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer this past September. Luckily I was accepted for treatment. My oncologist is Dr rachel Grisham. When and if I go into remission, Dr. Abu Rustem will be my surgeon. I gave just started my second third of chemo. First week is taxol and carboplatin, next two weeks taxol alone.
Mt CA 125 was 82 for the first two weeks and yesterday went up to 93 and this is frightening.
I have not met anyone with stage four ovarian cancer. Could I be put in touch with a stage four ovarian cancer survivor. Thank you
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Nov 1, 2013 • 2:18 PM
In reply to I was diagnosed with stage by Marcia budd
Leyla
Jan 30, 2014 • 11:55 PM
I have the following symptoms: constant bloating, menstrual like pain, and terrible lower back pain. My doctor did an in office sono. and he said, all look good. I am struggling to get him to properly test me. My s/s are getting worst and unbearable. I also feel consistently tired. I need help. Plus my mom died of cancer not certain if uterine or ovarian. The dr. Thinks I am too young- my age 39. What should I do? I am worry.
Leyla, we are unable to answer specific medical questions on our blog. If you would like to make an appointment with a Memorial Sloan-Kettering physician, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225 or go to http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/appointment. Thanks for your comment.
Pooja
Jul 4, 2014 • 3:34 AM
Hi-my sister 35 years old is diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer. I havent met anyone that young having this terrible disease. My sister is getting her treatment(doctors have recommended a neo-adjuvant chemo approach) in Singapore as we live here. Would you have any option where we can share the patient profile and get an opinion from the expert doctors at Sloan-Kettering hospital ?
Pooja, if you are interested in getting a second opinion from our physicians, you can contact our International Center at 1-212-639-4900 or go to http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/international-patients for more information. Thank you for your comment.
Jane Del
Aug 24, 2014 • 1:05 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Aug 24, 2014 • 9:40 PM
In reply to I was diagnosed with stage 4 by Jane Del
Dear Jane, we are sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Our Patient-to-Patient Support Program can help put you in touch with someone who has had a similar diagnosis and treatment experience. You may call them directly at 212-639-5980. Here is a link with more information: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/counseling-support/patient-patient-sup…
You may also be interested in our online support group for people living with advanced cancer (the next meeting is being held on Aug 27): http://www.mskcc.org/events/support-meeting/making-today-count
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Bulent
Jan 31, 2015 • 11:47 PM
Hi my name is bulent.last week we went to hosp.after cat scan we find out my wife has a stage 4 ovarian cancer.I'm so nervous.I'm keeping my wife pozitif and telling her everything will be alright.but in my heart I'm so scared and nervous. We have beatiful child and she is only 5 years old.is there anyone has stage 4 ovarian cancer surviver???.
Dear Bulent, we are sorry to hear about your wife’s diagnosis. Every patient is different and prognosis for advanced ovarian cancer can vary from person to person. New treatments and ongoing clinical trials can help many people live longer with advanced disease. And having support from you will be helpful as she moves forward with treatment.
We have a good article on our website about living and coping with advanced cancer that may be of useful: http://www.mskcc.org/blog/living-and-coping-advanced
We also have some helpful information on our website about talking to child about a parent’s cancer: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/counseling-support/parents
Finally, you and/or your wife may be interested in connecting with other patients and caregivers by joining Connections, our online community where people can share experiences, support, and inspiration. Learn more here: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/counseling-support/connections-online-…
We wish you and your family our best during this difficult time. Thank you for reaching out.
Bulent
Feb 1, 2015 • 12:30 AM
John Dubbs
May 16, 2015 • 12:58 PM
it gives us pause as we realize how precious life is. I have had the honor of being the loving husband, as my wife Deborah will be celebrating her 16 year anniversary on July 24th as a survivor of stage 4C ovarian cancer ... She has been challenged with the original surgery and chemotherapy as well as two reoccurances. we have been blessed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers who have likewise been challenged, may God bless you, and protect you
Memorial Sloan Kettering
May 16, 2015 • 4:14 PM
BABYLOVE
Jul 13, 2015 • 2:53 PM
This all started with a kidney stone that sent me to the ER.. a CT was done, - some smaller stones, but an enalarged ovary with a mass.. after a GYN visit and then a referral to a GYN oncologist, I was recommended to have the ovary removed.. Went to get a second opinion at Sloan Kettering. I liked the Dr. a lot more, I felt more comfortable than the first Dr. that gave me the news. July 22,, is the big day,, and I am so nervous! I'm 49, but I have kept myself younger by living a clean life and active life. now I feel like I am going to enter a new phase in my life, that my first dr. says I should accept because I am close to menopause. - so I midas well take everything out.. Grrr.
Awon
Aug 2, 2015 • 3:02 AM
Amanda
Aug 3, 2015 • 4:32 PM
My sister was staged 3 with ovarian/breast/uterine-all PRIMARY cancers and she carries the BRCA1 so I am now up for testing. She has 2-6 months to live so no matter how happy I am for all who survived, ovarian cancer is going to take my baby sister before Christmas and I'm now looking at the very real possibility that I carry the BRCA1 gene as well and if so, I will have to undergo a hysterectomy as well as possibly a double radical mastectomy. We definitely need more research so that women like my little sister don't have to die.
Amanda, we are very sorry to hear about your sister’s diagnosis. If you are concerned about your options in the presence of the BRCA1 mutation, you might contact our Clinical Genetics Service:
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/risk-assessment-screening/hereditary-…
The Service offers hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling (as well as genetic testing) and can help you make medical decisions about how to manage your own risk.
Anonymous
Aug 29, 2015 • 10:30 AM
Thank you everyone. ..i had ovarian cancer besides breast cancer twice an reoccurring cancer in my lymph nodes.. I'm still alive. .fighting cancer 5 times...my ovarian cancer was and is the scariest cancet..I'm a 8 year survivor. ... my sister wasnt... she passed at a very young.age. leaving small.children . I was tested for the brca1 and bcra2 gene. .after battling my 3rd battle... only to find out I gave the gene... Last week my sister's daughter was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer ...thank you all for the couraging information and your stories
Joyce Colombo
Oct 20, 2015 • 7:56 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 20, 2015 • 9:31 AM
In reply to My sister in law has just… by Joyce colombo
Joyce, if your sister-in-law would like to come to MSK, she can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information on making an appointment. Thank you for your comment.
Sharon Page
Nov 11, 2015 • 11:56 AM
My sister was recently diagnosed with stage 4OV cancer and started the standard chemo treatments. Her doc says its too far gone to be cured and doing chemo for palliative care. I'm researching alternative treatments hoping for a better answer and some quality of life. It's very difficult to see my 48yo sister, who had no symptoms and was feeling great, now debilitated by the drugs that are supposed to be helping her. Where can I go to get honest answers regarding treatments other than chemo?
The medical community seems to be held hostage by the pharmaceutical industry, insurance limitations and money. While the alternative community lacks funding for real research and seem to suffer from a measure of paranoia. Who can I trust? If traditional medicine offers us less than a 30% 5yr survival rate, why aren't they looking toward other treatments? And if they find an alternative treatment will they embrace it or smother it because it cannot be patented and turned into profit for big business?
The flip side to that is the alternative community which says they have a 90% cure rate but then use weird names like photon protocols or high RF frequency machines which sounds like something from Star Trek. Are they making this stuff up to earn a buck or does it really work? Who is out there truly on the side of curing cancer and staying immuned to the counter productive influences on every side of this issue? Please help me find them.
Sharon, we are sorry to hear about your sister’s diagnosis. Researchers and clinicians at Memorial Sloan Kettering and elsewhere are working hard to find new treatments for ovarian cancer, including conducting clinical trials testing experimental therapies. Here is a list of trials for ovarian cancer currently underway at MSK:
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/ovarian/clinical-trials
It is important to keep in mind that most methods of alternative medicine have not been proven in clinical trials to have any effect on tumor growth. Many people offering testimonials to the effectiveness of such treatments may attribute benefits to them simply because their condition improved after using them — when the actual cause for the improvement is unrelated.
On the other hand, our experts often recommend complementary medicine (which is distinct from alternative medicine) to help patients cope with the side effects of cancer and its treatment.
When considering using a complementary therapy in addition to traditional cancer treatments, your sister can always check with a reputable source such as our About Herbs database:
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/treatments/symptom-management/integra…
or the National Cancer Institute
and always keep the doctor informed. Thank you for your comment.
Sharon Page
Nov 12, 2015 • 10:13 AM
Mike
Dec 28, 2015 • 2:57 PM
My wife was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer. Went through surgery and chemo and a 9 month remission and then it was back. She is going through chemo again. After 38 years of a great marriage she is shutting me out.Cancer has turned our lives upside down and I don't know how to comfort her. I love her so much but our lives have turned into nothing but her cancer treatments and I feel like a spectator and very helpless.
Mike, thank you for reaching out. We understand this is a very difficult situation for you and your wife. We do have some good resource information for caregivers on our website that may be of interest: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/counseling-support/caregivers-families
You also may be interested in joining Connections, our online community for patients and caregivers, to share experiences and information with others who may be in similar situations. To learn more and register, go to
https://www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/counseling/groups/conn…
Sarah Hilton
Feb 14, 2016 • 9:05 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Feb 15, 2016 • 9:01 AM
In reply to I've had stage 4 ovarian… by Sarah hilton
Sarah, if you’d like to make an appointment at MSK to discuss treatment options, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you.
Rosemary Eazor
Feb 14, 2016 • 9:34 PM
My sister passed away from ovarian cancer one yr ago. It was a quick death. Dr told us he hit it all st time of surgery. Chemo was just being given for precaution reasons. She only lived three months . I just had my tubes n ovaries removed. Uns woukd not pay for braca1 test. We don't no of any one that had the disease in our family. Can it come from diet and life style? Or just hereditary? Still do confused
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Feb 15, 2016 • 9:06 AM
In reply to My sister passed away from… by Rosemary eazor
Rosemary, we’re very sorry for the loss of your sister. The majority of ovarian cancers are not hereditary but instead occur randomly. If you’d like to learn more about hereditary cancers, you can go to https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/risk-assessment-screening/hereditary-…. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with our Clinical Genetics Service, you can call 646-888-4050. Thank you for your comment.
Jill
Feb 19, 2016 • 2:25 PM
Hi All. I was diagnosed on November 8, 2015 with Stage 3 A per surgeon. However, pathology report indicates Stage 3 C. Currently, I'm halfway through my 6 month treatment. My question is this.... 'Who do I believe!?' So far, so good. Taxol and carboplatin. I am worried and afraid each day. In hoping that this is the right administered drugs that I am receiving for this stage of ovarian cancer. 6 cycles dose dense. Has anyone has this type of diagnosis before? Doesn't make sense to me. Is it A or C???? Clueless.
Mei
Jun 22, 2016 • 3:16 PM
Dear Mei, we are sorry to hear about your diagnosis. We offer a spectrum of support services for our patients, including online programs. You may be interested in reaching out to Cancer Care, which offers online support for people with ovarian cancer, regardless of where they are being treated. Here is a link to their online ovarian cancer support group: http://www.cancercare.org/support_groups/51-ovarian_cancer_patient_supp…. We hope you get the support your need. Thanks for reaching out to us.
Becky
Jul 4, 2016 • 9:29 PM
Hello I hope someone could answer a question for me please. I just had my yearly exam , the doc ordered a abdominal & vaginal ultrasound . My right ovary measures..3.6 x2.5 x2.5 cm contains multiple small follicles the largest measures 0.9 x0.9. The left ovary measures 4.6 x 2.6 x3.4 cm contains a 3.3 x 3.2 simple cyst and multiple small.follicles. no complex cyst or solid mass identified no free pelvic fluid seen. Should I be concerned about the results. Thank you
John Dubbs
Jul 27, 2016 • 6:59 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Jul 27, 2016 • 10:11 AM
In reply to My wife just celebrated 17… by John Dubbs
I would welcome the opportunity to speak w/ Jane about ovarian cancer awareness. I am the President of Turn The Towns Teal, an awareness campaign for ovarian cancer and its symptoms. Turn The Towns Teal was the inspiration of my brother's wife during her battle w/ ov ca. She, TOO, knew that NOT enough was being done for ov ca awareness. we're going into the 6th year of our campaign, and presently we're in 36 states and counting. Pls. go to our website at www.turnthetownsteal.org.
I wouldTRULY welcome the opportunity to speak w/ Jane and or a representative from Sloan Kettering.
Jane MacNeil, President, Turn The Towns Teal 973-543-2523