Ovarian cancer needs more awareness and advocacy

Regence executive medical director Dr. Jim Polo appeared on FOX 13 Seattle’s Healthier Together recently to talk about the importance of recognizing warning signs and risk factors of ovarian cancer. There is no effective screening for ovarian cancer, Dr. Polo noted, which means that most women are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease.

Ovarian cancer causes the most deaths among the five cancers of the female reproductive system. Knowing what’s normal for your body and going to your doctor if you think anything is wrong is paramount. "Paying attention to your body is really, really, really critical," Dr. Polo said.

Dr. Polo appeared on FOX 13 with Simone Edwards, a former member of the Seattle Storm. Edwards was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021 and said that was because she noticed pain, went to a doctor and then advocated for herself until she received an accurate diagnosis.

"So immediately (after my hysterectomy) the doctor told me you have to start chemo right away because it’s stage three, it’s aggressive," she said. "And I’m thinking to myself ‘If I didn’t go in and say I’m not leaving this hospital, this thing would have killed me."

A year later, Edwards said her diagnosis does not define her and her life.

"Life is about moments, so I’m still living. I’m thankful I can still walk, I can laugh, I can dance and these are the things I love," she said. "I have cancer - cancer does not have me."

Learn more about the symptoms and risk factors for ovarian cancer, and please see your doctor if you feel something out of the ordinary with your body.