In an emotional revelation, Jessica Gilbert, a 42-year-old mother of two from the Cincinnati area, is sharing her personal battle with ovarian cancer after initially mistaking her symptoms for a sinus infection. The diagnosis came at a time when she was preparing for a family trip to Disney World, a Christmas gift for her children, ages 11 and 7.
Gilbert first noticed flu-like symptoms in January, waking up with a fever and a persistent stuffy head. “I thought it was a sinus infection because I had a stuffy head all week,” she shared with ABC News. Concerned, she sought medical advice, testing for COVID-19, the flu, and RSV, all of which returned negative results.
Despite feeling somewhat better, Giovanni was not convinced that it was just a sinus infection. She suspected she might have low iron levels, and after requesting additional evaluation, her doctor ordered blood tests. A few days later, while her symptoms had improved, she mentioned her plans to travel to Florida. In a surprising turn, her doctor advised her to go to the emergency room for further examination.
It was at the ER that she received the life-altering news. “I think you have ovarian cancer,” a doctor informed her. Recalling that moment, Gilbert stated, “The whole world just stood still. 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.”
Determined to make a difference, Gilbert decided to share her experience to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, particularly poignant as September marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. “I don’t want this for my daughter or for my mom. I don’t want this for anybody else,” she expressed. “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 originates in the tissues of the ovaries, essential reproductive organs involved in producing eggs and hormones, according to the National Cancer Institute. Though classified as relatively rare, around 243,000 women in the U.S. were living with a diagnosis in 2022. This year, nearly 21,000 new cases are projected, with many diagnosed at advanced stages. The five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer sits at approximately 51%, with an alarming number of over 12,000 expected to succumb to the disease by 2025.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can often be mistaken for other health issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists several signs to watch for, including:
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Pain or pressure in the pelvic area
- Abdominal or back pain
- Bloating
- Feeling full quickly
- Difficulty eating
- Constipation
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
Dr. Caroline Billingsley, a gynecologist-oncologist at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, noted that many people are unaware of ovarian cancer compared to more discussed forms like breast or lung cancer. She emphasized that increasing awareness and encouraging participation in clinical trials can significantly benefit those affected by such cancers. “I feel like a lot of people don’t talk about women’s below-the-belt cancers, and so, women don’t know any of the signs or symptoms, because they just aren’t aware of them,” she explained. “And ovarian cancer is really sneaky. It is a cancer that does not have one thing that is very easy to tell, ‘Oh, this is definitely ovarian cancer.’ And it’s very slow initially, in terms of the symptoms, but then very fast growing on the inside.”
Treatment options for ovarian cancer vary and may include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Gilbert has faced the challenges of her diagnosis head-on, undergoing multiple cycles of chemotherapy and surgery, and currently receiving targeted maintenance therapy. Despite the trials she has faced this year, she remains optimistic and focuses on the joy in her life.
“[I] just try to be in the present and just enjoy life. I went on the roller coaster with my son a couple weeks ago … and that meant the world to me,” Gilbert shared. She made her presence felt even during tough times, attending her daughter’s dance recital while wearing a mask during chemotherapy.
Advising others in similar situations, she added, “Take care of yourself, but get out there and still live your life.” Her hope is that by sharing her story, she can inspire others to be proactive about their health and seek awareness about this often-overlooked cancer.
