Ovarian Cancer Follow Up

What Should I do after My Ovarian Cancer Treatment is Complete?

Perhaps you will be one of those individuals whose treatment removes or destroys your ovarian cancer. Once your treatment is completed, you may feel relief to finally be done with your treatment, yet anxious about the possibility of your ovarian cancer recurring. This anxiety is common for those who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and gone through the treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and possibly hormone therapy or radiation. In fact, many cancer survivors learn coping mechanisms to help deal with the uncertainty of wondering whether their cancer will return, and learn to live full lives.

On the other hand, you may be one of the women whose cancer never completely goes away. You could receive chemotherapy off and on for many years. Living with cancer which never completely goes away brings its own type of uncertainty. If your cancer does not go away, it can be like a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease. Treatment can keep the ovarian cancer from growing or spreading, but it remains in your body, and you are never fully “cured.” In some cases, the cancer is controlled for months or years, and may even go into remission, then may recur. This can result in an emotional roller coaster, and difficulty living your life as you once did. Regardless of whether your ovarian cancer is considered cured, is only being controlled, or has gone into remission, you will need to go through follow-up care.

Follow-up Treatment After Your Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Once your treatment has ended, you will still need to be closely monitored by your doctor, and show up for every follow-up appointment. During these appointments, your doctor may recommend additional x-rays, scans or lab tests to check for any signs of recurrence and to check for potential side effects from your ovarian cancer treatment. (In some cases, the treatment for ovarian cancer can lead to a blood cancer such as leukemia). Every type of treatment for ovarian cancer—or any type of cancer, for that matter—brings its own set of side effects.

These side effects may largely end within a few weeks after your treatment is complete, or could potentially last the rest of your life. Your doctor may recommend blood tests which measure tumor markers and can potentially help your doctor recognize a recurrence of your ovarian cancer. The CA-125 tumor marker is used most often as a follow-up method for women who have been treated for epithelial ovarian cancers. Those with ovarian germ cell tumors may be tested for HCG and AFP, and levels of inhibin, testosterone and estrogen may be checked in women who were treated for ovarian stromal cancer.

Seeing a Different Doctor

Following your diagnosis of ovarian cancer and subsequent treatment, you may eventually see a new doctor who is not aware of your medical history. Because of this, it is important that you keep comprehensive records of your diagnosis and treatment. While it may be something you don’t want to think about following your ovarian cancer treatment, getting these details soon after you complete your treatment—or keeping a file with the details of your treatment the entire time, and adding to it as necessary—can be the best way to ensure you have a comprehensive record. The following information is particularly important should you have to see a different doctor:

• All biopsy and surgery pathology reports;
• Operation reports if you underwent surgery;
• A discharge summary from any time you were hospitalized;
• A treatment summary if you received radiation;
• A list of chemotherapy or hormone therapy drugs and dosages, and
• Copies of your imaging tests and x-rays.

Keep Informed about the Potential Risks of Baby Powder with Talc: Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer

Women across the nation have many questions regarding whether the use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene could result in a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is often known as the silent killer, as it is rarely found in a woman until it has progressed far past the initial stage. There are currently more than 1,200 talcum powder lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson by women who have used talcum powder for feminine hygiene for many years and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Many of the lawsuits claim J & J should have warned women about the potential dangers associated with the talc in their baby powder and Shower to Shower powder. While Johnson & Johnson also markets a baby powder which contains cornstarch, they have continued to manufacture and sell their baby powder with talc. This is somewhat curious due to the fact that many studies have concluded the use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene could potentially increase a woman’s risk of talcum powder cancer by as much as 30-40 percent.

The first three Johnson & Johnson trials ended in verdicts for the plaintiffs, and, in the two most recent trials, damages of $72 million and $55 million. While these losses might convince some manufacturers to settle the remaining cases, Johnson & Johnson maintains talcum powder is safe, therefore required no warning labels. If you have been diagnosed with baby powder cancer, you may want to consider speaking to a talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney regarding the issue of whether you should file a talcum powder lawsuit. You may also have many questions about ovarian cancer itself. Below is a discussion regarding what will happen following your ovarian cancer treatment.

The Legal Issues Associated with Talcum Powder Related Ovarian Cancer: Do You Need a Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Attorney?

If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and you used talcum powder for feminine hygiene, it could be beneficial to speak with an experienced talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney. Obtaining talcum powder ovarian cancer legal help can help answer your questions, as well as determining whether you could be eligible for damages for your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potentially even punitive damages, if warranted. Having a compassionate, knowledgeable talcum powder ovarian cancer lawyer on your side can help to ensure your rights are protected and allow you to concentrate on your health while your attorney handles the legal aspects of your talcum powder ovarian cancer claim.