I was so much a fan of Gilda Radner that when I found myself alone in an elevator with Eddie Murphy in 1981 at the University of Pittsburgh my first question to him was: “How is Gilda Radner”. He gave his trademark laugh and said ‘she is well I suppose!” Eddie Murphy was on campus visiting his then girlfriend. Eddie Murphy had just started on Saturday Night Live a year earlier. 

This is what I learned about Gilda’s disease. Early ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms. As the cancer grows some of the obvious symptoms may include: Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back or legs. The stomach may become swollen or bloated, nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation or diarrhea may be present; feelings of tiredness all of the time may also be present. 

If you experience any of the above symptoms you should visit your doctor. Your doctor will check general signs of health. She may press on your stomach to check for tumors or an abnormal build up of fluid commonly referred to as (ascites). Your doctor will feel your ovaries and nearby organs to determine if there are lumps or other distinguishable changes in their shape or size. There is a blood test available called “the CA-125 test”. This test checks the level of substance found on the surface of the ovarian cancer cells and on some normal tissues. A high CA-125 level could be a sign of ovarian cancer or other conditions. In addition to the CA-125 test the doctor will order an Ultrasound to detect any tumor that may be in the ovaries; lastly the doctor may order a biopsy to look for cancer cells. You do not have to die from ovarian cancer. The high risk group includes the following: Women who have a mother, daughter or sister with ovarian cancer; women with a family history of cancer of the breast, uterus, colon or rectum; women over the age of 55. Most women are over the age of 55 when they are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Older women who have never been pregnant have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. There have also been studies that suggest that women who take estrogen without progesterone for ten or more years may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Last but not least women who usually get the disease have no known risk factors, except for growing older.

 In the words of my dad, “You must honor the chair whether it is sitting, walking or lying down.”