health
Half an hour in the waiting room, 6 minutes in consultation, and 3 words from doctors that changed my life forever: 'It's cancer'
Dull pain in the lower abdomen appeared every morning for several mornings in a row. However, it didn't last long enough for me to dwell on it. 'It's definitely not gynecological,' I told myself. I 'normally' got my usually irregular period and continued with my life.
TL;DR
- The author experienced persistent abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss, along with a pale green skin tone, before seeking medical help.
- Initial consultations and tests for bladder and stomach issues were inconclusive.
- A gynecological examination and tumor marker tests led to a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
- Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest gynecological cancers in Serbia due to late detection.
- Symptoms are often subtle and mistaken for stress or digestive problems, delaying diagnosis.
- Increased awareness, timely check-ups, accessible diagnostics, and modern therapies are vital for improving outcomes.
- Advocacy for HRD testing and the recent availability of treatment for HRD-positive patients are positive developments.
- The article emphasizes that no woman should face this diagnosis alone and offers support.