Most Common Types of Gynecologic Cancers

  • Endometrial/Uterine is the most common GYN cancer. The primary symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding.
  • Ovarian cancer is the second most common GYN cancer. Since there are no effective screening tests, one must be aware of the earliest symptoms of ovarian cancer.
  • Cervical cancer has been steadily decreasing in incidence with the increased prevalence of pap smear screening. We encourage you to get an annual pap smear.

Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

    Recent studies have shown that most women with ovarian cancer have had some or all of the following symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks:

  • Bloating
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Urinary urgency or frequency
  • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
    •

    The key is whether that is change from normal for your body.

    Other symptoms can include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, and menstrual irregularity.

    Because the signs and symptoms of GYN cancers may also be associated with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, it is important that your physician take seriously the possibility that ovarian cancer may be present, especially if you have a family or personal history of ovarian, breast, or colon cancer, and have never borne children.

    If you should have these symptoms, please see your gynecologist, who can follow-up with some diagnostic tests - CA125, transvaginal ultrasound, and pelvic exam. If these results indicate the possibility of ovarian cancer, ask - no, insist - to be referred to a gyn oncologist.

CanSurvive GYN Cancer Support Group
2 meetings each month

Please note that sometimes the 3rd Sunday will occur

before the 3rd Friday.

*******

3rd Friday of each month

12 noon – 1:30 p.m.; lunch provided

American Cancer Society*

1104 Ireland Way

Birmingham 35205

(205) 930-8860

*******

3rd Sunday of each month

2 – 4 p.m.

Brookwood Wellness Center at Gold’s Gym

1090 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia 35216

Light refreshments provided by LCBOCF

********

*Please check website or call on a weekday (205-934-7509) to confirm Friday meeting location; occasionally it has to be relocated.

Upcoming CanSurvive Support Meetings and CanSurvive Events,

Local Foundation Events, Other Support

Group Meetings 

The CanSurvive meetings (3rd Friday & 3rd Sunday in every month) are clearly labeled as are the CanSurvive events.

  • FRI., MAY 17, noon-1:30 p.m., lunch provided, American Cancer Society, Birmingham — CanSurvive meeting.  Dr. Jacob Estes, gyn oncologist at UAB,  will talk to us about current research, recent news reports, and will entertain questions.  We will also have someone talk to us briefly about the ballroom dancing study.
  • SUN., MAY 19, 2-4 p.m., Brookwood Wellness Center @ Gold’s Gym in Vestavia — CanSurvive meeting.  Someone will talk to us about the ballroom dancing study.  Refreshments provided by LCBOCF.
  • TUES., MAY 21 —Teal Taco Tuesday.  See the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation (LCBOCF) website for details.   http://www.thinkoflaura.org.
  • TUES., MAY 28 — Lilies of the Valley support group meeting in Huntsville.  More details on the “Support Groups” page.
  • THURS, JUNE 13, 6 p.m. — Teal Magnoiias Support Group meeting in the Roanoke/Lafayette/Auburn/Opelika area.  More details on the “Support Groups” page.
  • SUN., JUNE 16, 2-4 p.m., Brookwood Wellness Center @ Gold’s Gym in Vestavia — CanSurvive meeting.  Speaker/topic TBA.  Refreshments provided by LCBOCF.
  • FRI., JUNE 21, noon-1:30 p.m., lunch provided, American Cancer Society, Birmingham — CanSurvive meeting.  Dr. Kerri Bevis, gyn oncologist at UAB, will talk to us about the current guides for cervical cancer screening and the reasoning behind the changes.
  • FRI, SEPT 6 — Mark your calendar to go with us to turn the AL State Capitol teal

Moore Life to Live Golf Tournament

The inaugural Moore Life to Live Golf Tournament was a very successful event on Friday, April 19!  Four patients and CanSurvive  were honored at lunch and will receive grants from the proceeds. Thanks to Cathy Moore for doing this, her friends and CanSurvive sisters who helped, sponsors, golfers, and donors. Check out photos here.  The tournament program can be viewed here.

 Cathy Moore is an ovarian cancer survivor.  In 2013 she established the Moore Life to Live Fund to benefit gynecologic cancer patients and the CanSurvive GYN Cancer Support Group.  Net proceeds of the annual MLTL Golf Tournament will be placed in this fund and then distributed to the recipients.  A cancer diagnosis can lead to many unexpected expenses and put further stress on a patient and her loved ones during a difficult time.  It is Cathy’s hope to help lighten that load for patients.


CanSurvive Members Reach Out to Other Patients During Holidays

In their November 16 meeting, CanSurvive members put together 230 bags for patients receiving treatment during the winter holidays.  The bags contained items we found handy during treatment along with a few surprises and a handwritten note of encouragement.  Thanks to the Doubletree Hotel for providing a room for this and for our lunch and the Doubletree Care Committee for help transporting items, setting up the assembly line, and transporting bags to their destination.

 

 

We’d like to thank the many people who procured items and/or donated funds for the bags: Doubletree Hotel; Flavorpic; Hoffman Media; Dr. Perron Tucker of Tucker Cosmetic and Family Dentistry; Dr. Elizabeth S. Jacobson; American Family Care; Cathy Moore; Connie LaMonte; Vicki Daviston; Cheryl Bourn; Allan & Kelly Rice; Jennifer & Criss Smiley; Susan Greene and the NLOCF; Lois Caldwell & Dr. Kevin Alexander; Ginny Bourland; and, Dr. Ron Beasley.

Headliners Level

  • Driver’s Choice Automotive Service
  • James M. Crandall, CPA
  • Medworks
  • ProAssurance
  • UAB Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center & Gynecologic Oncology
  • Echols, Coogler & Associates, PC

Opening Act Level

  • VIVA Health

Marquee Level

  • Fox 6

Red Carpet Level

  • Boardman, Carr, Hutcheson & Bennett, PC
  • Burr Forman LLP
  • Raymond James/Morgan Keegan
  • Tucker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

Box Office Level

  • Appalachian University Systems, Inc.
  • Dutton Group, LLC
  • Tom Clyce
  • Urgent Care Center of Cullman, AL

Our advice: Try to maintain your sense of humor!

  CanSurvive Turned the Alabama State Capitol Teal for Awareness

(Click on Awareness Month page for more details.)