Ardmore Cancer Survivor Warns of Often Overlooked Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

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Elena Costello in her garden in Ardmore
Image via CBS News.
Cancer survivor Elena Costello says that her garden in Ardmore helps her heal.

Elena Costello of Ardmore is a four-year survivor of ovarian cancer, and like many other women with this type of cancer, the diagnosis was a shock.

Ovarian cancer is called a silent killer because its symptoms can be very subtle and misdiagnosed as a different condition.

While oncologists’ understanding of this deadly disease is improving, there is much still to be learned.

Costello shared her cancer battle with Stephanie Stahl of CBS News to help raise awareness in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

“I went around for seven months trying to find out what was wrong with me,” she told Stahl. “My symptoms were discomfort and distention in my stomach.”

The possibility of ovarian cancer never crossed her mind.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include abdominal or pelvic pain, bloating, trouble eating or feeling full quickly and the urgent to frequent need to urinate, according to The Mayo Clinic.

Costello’s doctor, Dr. David O. Holtz at Main Line Health, explained there is no screening test for ovarian cancer and treatment options are limited. There, however, is a promising new drug called Elahere for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Read more about Elena Costello’s battle with cancer and the symptoms of ovarian cancer at CBS News.

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Learn more about the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

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