|
Re: fibroids/ovary removal ?
From: Ann (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 9 Jan 1999 20:26:16 -0600 (CST)
First of all, I'm sorry for what happened to you. It sounds
like you had a horrible doctor. Your last few sentences concern me. Men
do get testicular cancer. Testicules are not removed to prevent the
cancer because the cancer doesn't pose a high death rate. Ovarian
cancer does. Think about it: your ovaries are floating around in your
abdomen. If you get cancer in them, it can spread to all sorts of other
places. It also has little symptoms until it's too late. That's why so
many women die of ovarian cancer. Men, in comparison, can be checked
for testicular cancer. It's a lump. The cancer also doesn't have
opportunity to spread like ovarian cancer does. Doctors are not being
insensitive when they suggest ovarian removal. I think it would be
criminal if the didn't give women the option to consider it. There is
no comparison between testicular cancer and ovarian cancer.
Ann
>I lost my HEALTHY ovaries 2 years ago when my doctor gave me only
>hysterectomy as a option for a 4cm fibroid. I had one hemorrage
>episode, she recommended the surgery with no alternatives given. I did
>ask about myomectomy even laproscope to determine what was causing the
>bleeding (she did not know if the fibroid was even the cause by her own
>statment)she told me they would be of no benifit. I trusted her, and
>her opinion so the day before surgery to sign consent she had written
>"possible bi-lateral oopherectomy" in procedure description. I
>questioned this because we had agreed the ovaries would not be removed,
>no reason, I was 40 and no cancer risks still cycling normally. I
>agreed, because she told me if she got in there and they were diseased
>it would save me another surgery. It sounded reasonable. She removed
>my healthy ovaries (pathology report and pathologists opinon)and I have
>paid dearly these last two years, and will the rest of my life. You go
>into what the books call hormone shock. The symptoms will vary from
>woman to woman but none are pleasant and can as in my case be awful.
>Surgical menopause is no picnic in my opinion, but I am aware some women
>have few problems, so please check all your options before surgery. It
>is your choice and your body. I would appreciate any of the doctors
>explaining how the ovaries can be a liability to us, and was of the
>understanding even after natural menopause they produced some hormones
>but in much lower amounts, which do benefit us. As a comparison, and of
>great interest to me, does a man's testicles become a liability or
>problem for them at some time? Are they routinely removed to prevent
>cancer? Thank you for your time and this forum to discuss important
>issues.
>Angela
|
|
![[ Women's Health Forum ]](http://www.obgyn.net/images_women/wh-forum.gif)