Woman Shares Ovarian Cancer Journey After Dismissing Symptoms

Carla Peoples, a 67-year-old society columnist for the Galveston County Daily News, experienced alarming changes in her body that she initially dismissed as minor ailments. Describing herself as “totally healthy” prior to these symptoms, she faced unexpected bloating and significant weight loss. “I literally could put my hand on my stomach like you do when you’re pregnant,” Peoples shared, highlighting how her abdomen appeared swollen and uncomfortable.

Despite her weight loss, which she first noticed when the normally snug tops of her ball gowns became loose, Peoples had never dieted and did not monitor her weight. “My biggest sign that something was majorly wrong,” she stated, was the combination of a distended belly and unintentional weight loss.

Diagnosis and Emergency Surgery

Peoples’ symptoms began in the fall of 2022 and included increased urination and early satiety after meals. Initially diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder, her condition took a dramatic turn just days before a scheduled surgery for that issue. Severe pain led her to the emergency room, where a CT scan revealed two large ovarian tumors—one the size of a football and the other resembling a small watermelon.

“It was such a thunderbolt,” she recalled. “The world just kind of stopped.” The findings indicated that her bladder issues were not due to weakened tissues but rather the presence of these significant tumors.

Following the emergency diagnosis, Peoples underwent an eight-hour debulking surgery, which aimed to remove as much cancerous tissue as possible. Fortunately, doctors confirmed that the tumors had not spread beyond her pelvis, leading to a diagnosis of Stage 3 high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Genetic Testing and Ongoing Treatment

Genetic testing revealed that Peoples carries the BRCA1 mutation, which significantly increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, up to 58% of women with this mutation may face a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. For Peoples, the revelation was shocking; she had always been healthy and had no knowledge of her biological family’s medical history, having been adopted from Bogotá, Colombia.

Peoples underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and currently continues treatment with olaparib, a targeted therapy drug used to manage ovarian cancer. Despite the challenges, she has returned to her normal routine and emphasizes the importance of staying vigilant about health. “You just go on — you have to — and you’re grateful to go on,” she remarked, reflecting on her journey.

Peoples urges women to be attentive to their bodies, stressing that there is no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer, which often leads to late diagnoses. The American Cancer Society notes that the CA-125 blood test, while sometimes used to monitor tumor markers, is not always a definitive indicator of ovarian cancer.

Warning signs of this disease can be vague, including:

– **Bloating**: Caused by fluid buildup in the abdomen due to tumors.
– **Feeling full quickly**: A result of tumors limiting stomach capacity.
– **Frequent urination**: Occurring when tumors occupy pelvic space, affecting bladder capacity.
– **Unexplained weight loss**: Often a significant change, as experienced by Peoples, who lost approximately 10 pounds from her small frame.
– **Changes in bowel habits**: Tumors may press on the colon, leading to constipation or diarrhea.

Peoples reflects on her experience with regret over having initially accepted a misdiagnosis. “I wish so bad I would have done that,” she said, urging women to be proactive in seeking medical advice and not to overlook potential signs of ovarian cancer.

In sharing her story, Peoples hopes to raise awareness and encourage others to monitor their health closely. “Women, be in tune with your body and don’t ever just assume that it’s one thing when it could be ovarian cancer,” she cautioned.