Power Morcellation Can Spread Hidden Tumors (considering a hysterectomy?)

The Dangers of Power Morcellation: This information is from the Recall Center about the dangers using power morcellators for hysterectomies.The link pasted below from The New York Times shares important research about the dangers of this procedure.

Ladies beware, please read.

• What is a Power Morcellator? A device used in hysterectomies to cut tissue into small pieces to be removed from the body. However, uterine cancers sometimes go undetected prior to the procedure. In these cases, the morcellator dices up and spreads unsuspected cancer inside the woman's body.
  
  
• Hysterectomy is the 2nd most common surgery among women in the United States
  
  
• By age 70, one out of three American women will have had a hysterectomy
  
  
• 90% of these surgeries are done to remove Fibroids (non-cancerous tumors found in the uterus)
  
  
• The average life span following accidental morcellation of sarcoma is only 24-36 months
  
  
• Only 15% of women who have leiomyosarcoma (LMS) that has spread (stage 4) will be alive after 5 years
  
  
• Women with sarcoma who are morcellated are about 4 times more likely to die from sarcoma than if they had not been morcellated

We have some great information about the device and it's dangers on our Power Morcellator page.

New York Times Article On Dangers Of Power Morcellation

Rivkin Center SummerRun and N.E.D. The Movie in Seattle

Seattle is soon to be hopping with events that raise money to support ovarian cancer research and F.O.R.C.E..

This post today sends you to important links that help us in this region to better support those effected by this cancer or who are threatened with possibly facing the reality of breast or ovarian cancer due to  the inheritance of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation.

On Sunday July 27, 2014 the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research is hosting the SummerRun and Walk in downtown Seattle.  This is an annual event supporting a research center dedicated solely to ovarian cancer.  Please take a look at my site and see how you can help.

I am a "VIRTUAL WALKER" this year because my cancer fatigue and rheumatoid arthritis preclude me from walking at that early hour.  ;-)  I get really hot when walking too, which makes me sick....ugh.

Although a few potential jokes linger about me resting in luxury while everyone else walks, I am disappointed because it is important that we see as many people as possible on the walk.  So anything you can do to help us up here in the pacific northwest would be greatly appreciated.  This event grows stronger every year and with your help we can make it even more powerful.

Thank you.  To view my page or our team page:

SummerRun and Walk for Ovarian Cancer Research


In September, look forward to viewing an award winning screening of "N.E.D. The Movie". This is the documentary about the gynecology oncology surgeons, their awesome band and their loyal fans.  

Proceeds benefit F.O.R.C.E.  Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered.  I am BRCA 1 mutation positive.  Myself, along with thousands of others, are either currently facing breast or ovarian cancer or have a great risk of having one or both of these cancers in the future.  The genetic mutations increase these cancer risks.

F.O.R.C.E. helps us and those effected by this news.  I will post more about this event, the genetic mutations and F.O.R.C.E. as we get closer to the event.

F.O.R.C.E. was very helpful to me and my family when it was discovered that I have the mutation  Now we know more of what to do and when.

N.E.D. The Movie Coming to Seattle Area Soon

Peace and Blessings

Denise Archuleta  a.k.a. "Servivorgirl"

Early Detection Of Ovarian Cancer Initiated by Pelvic Exam

http://t.today.com/klgandhoda/new-pelvic-exam-guidelines-what-you-need-know-1D79871721

Meet Valisia Lekae:  She is a young beautiful star on broadway who was blessed to have had her ovarian cancer detected early.  She is seen in the segment hosted on Today with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.  Valisia is now the spokeswoman for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and together they move forward with our cause.

http://www.valisialekae.com/www.valisialekae.com/NOCC_Spokesperson.html

The NOCC also recommends that women continue to get annual pelvic examinations. Here is a link to their news section where you can find more information about this very important issue.

http://www.ovarian.org/ovarian_cancer_news.php

I was shocked to learn of the recommendation that asymptomatic women could bypass the pelvic exam.  Some women who were asymptomatic do have ovarian cancer, and it is important to allow your gynecologist the opportunity to perform a complete medical exam.

The bimanual exams are uncomfortable, yes. But they should not be painful.  Medical exams are never fun but the discomfort of a pelvic exam is minimal compared to the agony of cancer surgery and chemotherapy.  I only say this because women still need to arm themselves with information.  You may not really know where a doctor stands on any given medical issue and unfortunately we need to constantly double check what the primary care doctors are doing.

I am looking forward to learning more about Valisia Lekae and am very excited that such a strong and beautifully talented woman is our spokesperson.