Ovarian cancer: one woman's story

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and in honor of that I would like to tell you about one remarkable womans experience with ovarian cancer. Sunny, as she is appropriately nicknamed, is a colleague and friend of mine who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 8 years ago and has survived in her own unique way without any sign of recurrence, despite having the odds stacked against her.

Sunny was 54 when she was diagnosed, but says her symptoms started two years before that. She followed the traditional protocol for treatment when she was first diagnosed and continues to seek guidance from traditional health practitioners, but she has also integrated complementary approaches that she feels have contributed to the continued good health she experiences today.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth deadliest of all cancers. Breast cancer is nine times more common than ovarian cancer, but ovarian cancer is three times more fatal. Each year, 22,000-26,000 new cases of ovarian cancer occur in the United States and approximately 14,000 women die of the disease.

The highest rates of ovarian cancer occur in developed nations (with the exception of Japan), raising the question of whether environmental or lifestyle factors affect risk. Studies have shown that when people from countries with a low rate of ovarian cancer migrate to countries with high rates, they develop the disease at the same rate as their native-born counterparts. The countries with the highest rates of ovarian cancer are Denmark, Sweden, the United States, Canada, and Israel.

Risk for ovarian cancer increases with age; the median age at time of diagnosis is 53. Family history is a strong risk factor for ovarian cancer, although most individual cases of ovarian cancer are not associated with a family history. (No one in Sunnys family had either ovarian or breast cancer). Because of the relationship to family history, a great deal of current research focuses on genetics.

One theory holds that the development of ovarian cancer is related to the number of cycles of ovulation (when an egg is released from the ovary) a woman experiences over her lifetime. The theory is that because there is a high degree of cell turnover during ovulation, there is a greater chance for cells to transform and possibly become cancerous during this time of cell changes. Therefore, situations that increase the number of times a woman ovulates during her lifetime are thought to increase risk for ovarian cancer. These situations include never being pregnant or the use of infertility medications for 12 or more cycles. Conversely, factors that reduce the frequency of ovulation, such as pregnancy, use of birth control pills, and breast-feeding are thought to be protective. Tubal ligation and hysterectomy also seem to decrease risk of developing ovarian cancer and some research indicates that the mineral selenium may be protective.

One factor that has been strongly associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer is the use of talcum powder, both in the form of loose powder and in certain feminine hygiene sprays and sanitary napkins. Sunny feels certain that this was the main contributor to her cancer.

Other factors associated with increased risk for ovarian cancer include abnormally high levels of male hormones or androgens (women who carry extra weight around the waist as opposed to around the hips tend to have higher levels of male hormones) and high intake of alcohol and animal fat.

Sunnys story begins in 1989 when she was 52 years old and began experiencing pain in her right shoulder as well as spotting of blood between her periods (which her doctor thought was probably a sign of menopause). Approximately six months later, Sunny developed a persistent foul-smelling flatulence, which she later learned is associated with ovarian cancer, as is shoulder pain.

Because of these symptoms, Sunny had a test done to measure her CA-125 a marker for ovarian cancer measured in the blood. Sunnys CA-125 level was 31 just above the normal range of 0-30. Her ovaries and uterus appeared normal when examined by ultrasound and exploratory laparoscopy.

One year later, in the summer of 1990, Sunny developed bloating and experienced 30 straight days of vaginal bleeding, a brief break, and then resumption of the bleeding. A repeat ultrasound was still normal. Six months later, a repeat CA-125 was actually lower, with a reading of 29.

In February of 1991, Sunny began urinating frequently, which was presumed to be caused by a urinary tract infection, but may actually have been a result of her ovary pressing on her ureter. Ultimately, in July of 1991, she developed excruciating pain and went to the emergency room. An ultrasound two days later showed that her right ovary had increased in size. Ten days later a total hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries was performed and Sunny was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Following the surgery and staging process which indicates the severity and spread of the cancer Sunny underwent chemotherapy every three to four weeks for eight months. Based on the stage and grade of her cancer at the time of surgery, Sunny had a 35-40% chance of being alive in five years. Now, eight years later, she still shows no signs of recurrence and her last two CA-125 measurements were only 7.

In addition to having two surgeries to remove as much of the cancer as possible and chemotherapy, Sunny began reading and researching about her diagnosis. She discovered quite a bit about vitamins and supplements as well as about the value of stress reduction for cancer in general. She consulted many different health care professionals, both conventional and nonconventional; then, Sunny assessed what she thought made the most sense for her and incorporated the approaches she considered most likely to help.

When the chemotherapy was finished, Sunny began eating a vegan diet a type of vegetarian diet in which all animal products, including dairy, are excluded but later added salmon and sardines, because of the essential fatty acids in these foods. Sunny also eats three servings of soy foods each day, such as soy milk, cereal that contains soy protein, and tofu.

Once she felt strong enough after chemotherapy, Sunny began exercising regularly and mindfully, meaning that she became more conscious and aware of each step and the purpose of what she was doing. Sunny was told by several advisors that stress reduction was very important, so she began to practice transcendental meditation (TM) for three years. Sunny no longer practices TM or any form of meditation other than continuing to approach her exercise regime mindfully.

Sunny takes many supplements every day, including:

• A multivitamin/multimineral supplement with herbs and antioxidants
• Selenium (200 micrograms)
• Vitamin E (400 international units)
• Vitamin B complex (50 milligrams)
• Co-Enzyme Q10 (100 milligrams)
  Folate (400 micrograms)
• Milk Thistle extract (175 milligrams)
• Astragalus root
• Gingko extract (60 milligrams)
• Multicarotene extract
• D fraction Matake mushroom extract (used in chemotherapy in Japan)
• Vitamin C (9 grams twice a day)
• Flax seed
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12 injections once a month

Sunny also consumes a special soup every day (called Sun Soup), made by Dr. Sun, a Japanese doctor in Connecticut. Dr. Sun has been researching his soups and their effect on cancer for many years; the data regarding his research is to be published in the journal Cancer Research later this year. The soup Sunny eats contains the following ingredients:

• Soy beans
• Mung beans
• Red date
• Ginger
• Lentils
• Parsley
• Onion
• Angelica root
• Licorice
• Senegal root
• Garlic
• Sesame seeds
• Hawthorne root (used in Chinese chemotherapy)
• Matake mushrooms
• Dandelion root
• Scallions
• Olives
• Leeks

Sunny recognizes that much of what she does has not been scientifically proven to be either safe or effective; she also realizes that certain recommendations have changed for example, current research about vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of cancer suggests that doses much lower than what Sunny takes be recommended. But given her success thus far, Sunny is rather superstitious about changing her routine.

When asked what she would like to tell people with ovarian cancer, Sunny says to savor your life and appreciate it on a daily basis. When asked what she attributes her individual success to, Sunny cites her incessant thirst for knowledge and persistence to discover information on her own, and taking charge by implementing a plan that was based on things that made the most sense for her.

I do not have the data to prove or disprove that Sunnys approach has cured her cancer or prolonged her life. Nor am I suggesting that anyone blindly follow Sunnys regimen. What I am hoping is that Sunnys story will inspire others toward finding their own path, with the help and guidance of a health care professional.