It started with a fever and a stuffy head – symptoms that anyone would mistake for a simple common cold, the flu, or perhaps a lingering sinus infection. For Jessica Gilbert, a 42-year-old mother of two from Cincinnati, Ohio, these seemingly mild complaints were initially brushed aside as a temporary inconvenience ahead of a planned family trip to Disney World. When those symptoms persisted, however, and standard tests came back negative, a shocking diagnosis emerged: Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer.
Gilbert’s story, which she has bravely shared, is a stark reminder of why ovarian cancer is often dubbed the “silent killer.” Its early signs are notoriously subtle and easily confused with less serious ailments, making awareness and early detection a matter of life and death.
The Deceptive Symptoms: A Cancer Misdiagnosis
Jessica Gilbert thought her symptoms were just a sinus infection, but it turned out to be ovarian cancer.
In January, Jessica Gilbert began to feel “off.” She had a low-grade fever and a stuffy head, prompting a visit to her primary care physician. There, she asked to be tested for COVID-19, the flu, and RSV before their family vacation. All tests, however, came back negative. Feeling slightly better but still not quite right, Gilbert initially expected that she might be dealing with a persistent sinus infection or perhaps even low iron levels. She asked her doctor for blood work, which was ordered. Despite the symptoms being vague, the test results prompted her doctor to go to the emergency room for further evaluation. It was there, in the ER, that a doctor delivered the news that would change her life forever.
The Shocking Diagnosis
After her cancer misdiagnosis, Jessica Gilbert is speaking out about the quiet symptoms of Ovarian Cancer.
“I think you have ovarian cancer,” the ER doctor told her.
For Gilbert, who had no family history of the disease, the announcement was devastating and completely unexpected. Doctors at UC Medical Center went on to confirm the diagnosis: Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer.
“The whole world just stood still,” Gilbert recalled. “I was just totally shocked. [I had] no family history. I didn’t know any of the signs for ovarian cancer. I just didn’t know anything about it at all.”
Gilbert immediately underwent a full hysterectomy and began chemotherapy, determined to fight the disease and use her experience to raise awareness. Her unexpected journey from a presumed common infection to a cancer diagnosis highlights the critical need for women to listen to their bodies and push for answers.
“I don’t want this for my daughter or for my mom. I don’t want this for anybody else,” Gilbert said. “I don’t want them to have to find out in the ER … because I feel like there has to be something else that can be done, just so we can change people’s outcomes.”
Ovarian Cancer: The “Silent Killer”
Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious cancers affecting women, often proving difficult to diagnose in its early stages. This difficulty arises because the ovaries are deep within the abdominal cavity, and by the time the tumor is large enough to cause obvious or specific symptoms, cancer has often advanced to later stages, such as stage 3, where it has spread beyond the pelvis.
While the symptoms of this cancer are often vague, they tend to be persistent and represent a change from a woman’s normal health. Recognizing these subtle signs is the most crucial step in improving survival rates, as there is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer in the general population.
Know the Warning Signs
The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are often mistaken for normal aging, menstrual issues, or digestive problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It is important to remember the mnemonic BEAT: Bloating, Eating difficulty, Abdominal pain, and Toilet changes. Key symptoms to watch out for include:
- Bloating: Persistent, increasing abdominal swelling or bloating
- Pelvic or Abdominal Pain: Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvis that is chronic.
- Difficulty Eating or Feeling Full Quickly: An inability to eat normally or feeling full after only a small amount of food.
- Urinary Symptoms: Needing to urinate more frequently or urgently than usual.
- Other Vague Symptoms: Unexplained fatigue, persistent indigestion, heartburn, or unexplained changes in weight.
If a woman experiences these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks, she should consult a doctor, preferably a gynecological oncologist, and specifically ask if her symptoms could be related to ovarian cancer.
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Who is at Risk?
All women have a risk of developing Ovarian Cancer.
While any woman can develop ovarian cancer, certain factors increase the risk:
- Age: Most cases occur in women over the age of 50.
- Family history: Having a close relative (mother, sister, daughter) with ovarian or breast cancer significantly increases risk.
- Genetic mutations: Inherited mutations in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are responsible for a small but significant percentage of cases.
- Endometriosis: Having this condition may be associated with an increased risk.
- Reproductive history: Women who have never been pregnant or who used fertility treatments may have a slightly increased risk.
Women with known risk factors, especially genetic mutations, should discuss preventive strategies and screening options with their healthcare provider.
Trust Your Instincts
Jessica Gilbert’s journey is a powerful lesson in knowing the symptoms, knowing your body, and advocacy. She is determined to turn her diagnosis into a call to action, urging women everywhere to prioritize their health. Her core message is simple: Trust your instincts. If you feel “off” and your body is telling you something is wrong, don’t let your concerns be dismissed – whether by a doctor or by yourself. Early detection significantly improves the prognosis for ovarian cancer, and while there is no routine screening test, self-awareness of persistent changes in your body is the most effective tool available. By sharing her story, Gilbert hopes to ensure that other women recognize the subtle, often misleading, signs of this life-threatening disease before it’s too late.
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