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So far, the screening tests have re- whether those tumors are benign or As a research trial, all screenings are
vealed ovarian tumors in 180 of the malignant, van Nagell said. His ulti— offered free of charge. To support the re-
paiticipants, 17 of which were deter- mate goal is to refine the search, van Nagell relies on private dona-
a mined to be malignant. The other 163 sonography or to pair it with an- tions from individuals and companies, as .,
i tumors were benign, but some of them other test to detect ovarian cancer, well as funds from the Kentucky General
potentially could have become rnalig- not just tumors. Assembly.
nant. The cancerous tumors detected by Transvaginal sonography is The Kentucky Extension Hornemakers
, screening usually were at an early stage roughly at the same stage of devel- have supported the program since its be- ,
j — 11 were at stage I and three were at opment that mammography was 50 ginning by participating in regular screen-
  stage II. A pelvic examination per- years ago, van Nagell said. Mam— ings and by donating $1 per member
` formed annually in conjunction with a mography has been used since the annually.
l Pap smear often does not detect ova- late 1920s as a diagnostic tool. During the 2000 Kentucky General As-
  rian cancer until it is at an advanced However, it was not until the 1950s sembly, the legislators provided $100,000
, stage (stage III or IV). and 1960s that additional screening to support van Nagell’s research.
I All of the screening program partici- techniques were paired with mam- "\Ve are very proud of the efforts of
pants whose ovarian tumors were mography to reliably distinguish be- physicians like Dr. van Nagell at the UK
found at stage I or II are alive and fully tween benign and cancerous Chandler Medical Center," said james W.
I recovered following treatment. abnor-malities. Then it was not until Holsinger jr., M.D., Ph.D., chancellor, UK
"I believe that this is a great oppor- the early 1970s when the Breast Chandler Medical Center. "Our physicians
tunity to advance women’s health care," Cancer Demonstration Project, and researchers at the UK Markey Cancer
van Nagell said. “However, we must be sponsored by the A1nefiCHn Cancer Center constantly strive to be leaders in
very careful custodians of the research. Society and the National Cancer In- cancer prevention and early detection as
This may not be the final answer in stitute, screened about 280,000 well as treatment. Dr. van Nagell’s re-
, early detection of ovarian cancer." women to demonstrate the effec- search is an outstanding example of that
The biggest drawback of transvagi- tiveness of mammography in reduc- dedication."
nal sonography is that, although it is ing the number of breast cancer "This research is dedicated to giving
very accurate in detecting ovarian tu- deaths. women the best chance possible against
mors, it does not reliably predict a deadly disease,” van Nagell said.
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  In 1993, Noi Doyle had her first ovaries. Doyle had another ultra- cancerous, van Nagell performed a  . 6
appointment with the Ovarian Cancer sound examination one week later. complete hysterectomy. Doyle had _ "  I
  Screening Program at the University She discussed her options with chemotherapy treatments every three  
  of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. It john van Nagell, M.D., chief of gy- to four weeks over six months. Doyle  
` was an action that probably saved necologic oncology, professor of has remained cancer-free since the  
W  her life. obstetrics and gynecology at the operation.  
gilej Her family doctor had suggested UK College of Medicine, and direc- "I was incredibly lucky," Doyle  
{  Doyle sign up for the program. tor of the Ovarian Cancer Screening said. “Without Dr. van Nagell’s pro- jaéj
  r` "My physician told me that the Program. gram, my cancer would not have j 
_, , screening only took a few minutes "He told me that he thought it been found so early, and I might not  
A. and was painless," Doyle said. "It was serious. After speaking with have survived. I am living proof of  
 ¤_ · sounded easy so I agreed, and my him, we decided I should have sur- the importance of Dr. van Nagell’s ef-  
F ,. physician scheduled an appointment gery to biopsy the tumor," Doyle forts to make this screening routinely  
  for me." said. “Dr. van Nagell said that I available to all women."  
  The results of Doyle's first screen- could choose to have my own sur-   I
I  ing in 1995 were normal. geon operate, but I said that I  
  i **1 was very impressed with the wanted the best. And as far as I The pfOgf211n is Open to women   »
4 _ staff in the my first appointment. Ev- was concerned the best was Dr. age 50 Of Older, Hnd IO women 25  
 " eryone was extremely kind and con- van Nagell." O1' Older who h¤V€ 3 f21milY hi5€01"Y tw
 `* siderate. V \X/ithin one week, Doyle had Of ovarian C2lnCe1‘. Screening is free.  
i_ At her screening the following surgery. Because the surgical FGF m0f€ i11f0f¤121fi0n, call (859)  
· ry year, a mass was found on one of her biopsy showed that the tumor was 323-4687 Of (800) 766-8279. -_¥1Y_, 
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  26 KENTucr