LI Ovarian Cancer Survivor Urges Women to Become Self-Advocates

Each year, more than 77,000 women are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, including ovarian, cervical and uterine. To educate women about the latest screening, prevention and treatment of some of the most common gynecologic cancers, the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System today held a free educational conference attended by some 300 women at the Brookville Country Club in Glen Head.

The one-day program, held during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month in September, was supported by The Sonia L. Totino Gynecologic Cancer Fund at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System. Featured speakers included John L. Lovecchio, MD, chief of Gynecologic Oncology at North Shore-LIJ, as well as other top health system physicians with expertise in the field, Rocco Totino and ovarian cancer survivor Deborah Orlando, 48, of East Norwich.

From left, John Lovecchio, MD, Deborah Orlando and Rocco Totino participated in a news conference to educate women about gynecologic cancers, which coincided with a free community education program, the Sonia L. Totino Conference, New Frontiers in Gynecological Oncology, at the Brookville Country Club.

Mrs. Orlando spoke about being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, less than one year after her best friend, Sonia Totino, died of the disease in her late 40s. The Totino family created the gynecologic cancer fund to honor Mrs. Totino's memory and to continue her desire to build awareness and promote education about gynecologic disease for other women.

Last month, Mrs. Orlando, a mother of two, had a recurrence of ovarian cancer. She said she had minimally invasive surgery on Aug. 14 performed by Dr. Lovecchio at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) to remove two small growths and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Mrs. Orlando credits her best friend for saving her life. "By being with Sonia, I became more aware and it made me super vigilant," said Mrs. Orlando. "I believe she is an angel on my shoulder - but every woman needs to be her own advocate."

In 2003, I didn't have any classic symptoms of ovarian cancer, but I had an unusual menstrual cycle and I just didn't feel right for about a month. I insisted that my doctor give me a sonogram." The sonogram revealed a cyst on her ovary (she had the other ovary surgically removed because of a cyst a few years earlier). Ms. Orlando took a blood test, known as CA-125, to test for late stage ovarian cancer, but it was inconclusive. In November 2003, she had surgery at NSUH, which revealed that the cancer was localized and fortunately had not spread to other organs.

Mrs. Orlando underwent aggressive chemoherapy at the time and is currently following a similar chemotherapy regimen. According to Dr. Lovecchio, patients like Mrs. Orlando who have been free of ovarian cancer for two years and have responded well to chemotherapy in the past can expect an 80 percent response rate from re-initiation chemotherapy. "Fifteen to twenty years ago, the response rate for recurrent ovarian cancer was less than 15 percent," Dr. Lovecchio said. "While the survival rates are certainly better for patients now, it is recognized that up to 70 percent of women with ovarian cancer will have a recurrence, and this is the stark reality patients and physicians we must deal with."

In 2006, approximately 15, 310 women will die of ovarian cancer in the United States. "Ovarian cancer whispers in its symptoms", said Dr. Lovecchio. "If your abdomen is distended and you have abdominal or pelvic pressure for one month, you should see your physician for an evaluation. This is especially relevant for peri- or post-menopausal women."

Gynecologic cancers are a study in contrasts. Some types of these cancers are declining while others are increasing. In some cases, such as cervical cancer, early detection is simple with regular Pap tests. Cervical cancer may be prevented with a new HPV vaccine, if girls (and boys) receive it before they are sexually active. Ovarian cancer, on the other hand is very difficult to diagnose in early stages where 90 percent of patients survive. Researchers and doctors at North Shore-LIJ presently are working to develop a sophisticated blood test, similar to the PSA test used to detect prostate cancer in men, which could identify ovarian cancer at its earliest stages. "Reaching out to the community is critical," said Dr. Lovecchio. "Knowledge is the best tool to fight gynecological cancers. Education programs drive people to seek out medical care. Prognostically, this results in earlier detection and improved survival."

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Betty Olt
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