To Your Health
June, 2011 (Vol. 05, Issue 06) |
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Sommermann said the problem is that even these tests can provide false positives, while false negatives cannot be counted on for a proper diagnosis. Many cases often are either misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all.
"Right now, they are looking for the one; the be-all test that is needed," she said.
Documenting the Journey
From the first day Sommermann set out on her mission to spread the word about ovarian cancer, she has been hard at work conveying as much information as she can while also documenting it all. Her message has touched people's lives at many of the triathlons she has participated in, and she has set up a blog to prove it. Stories about her journey have been documented on the "Jen Sommermann: Triathlete for a Cure" blog, where her message is stated clearly:
"I race for women who have lost their battle, women who are undergoing treatment and women yet to be diagnosed."
Sommermann said that recently, one woman read her blog and saw her doctor after she read about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. The woman was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer soon after.
"I always tell people that if you are experiencing any symptoms, persistent symptoms that don't feel like your body, make your doctor prove to you that you do not have ovarian cancer," said Sommermann.
On the blog, she also posts YouTube videos regularly, speaking about her experiences. And on her Twitter and Facebook pages, she posts photos of her competing so her supporters – including her husband (her "personal cheerleader") and her mother, both whom have given her great strength along the way, can follow her journey.
So far, all of Sommermann's efforts are paying off. She has been able to raise over $40,000 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and has the rest of the year planned out. She has 11 states to compete in this summer and plans on doing at least 10 more triathlons in 2012.
