Relay For Life
WHY I RELAY / IN MEMORY OF AMY HUFFAKER
Relay for Life is one of the largest nationwide events that honors and remembers those who have been lost to any type of cancer, supports and encourages those currently fighting cancer, and promotes awareness and hope for a cure. Through my involvement with Relay for Life, and in conjunction with marketing for my Network and Internet Security business, I actively promote BRCA Awareness and Ovarian Cancer Awareness. BRCA is a genetic mutation that is hereditary and drastically increases the chance of Breast and Ovarian Cancer. The key to a successful fight against Ovarian Cancer is catching it early, knowing the symptoms, knowing family history, and being vigilant in understanding changes in the body that may be early symptoms of the disease.
I Relay to remember my wife Amy Huffaker who passed away from Ovarian Cancer in 2015. I Relay to show support to others who are dealing with Cancer and honor those who have passed. I relay to promote BRCA awareness. I Relay to help people understand the importance of knowing family history of Cancer and the elevated risks. I Relay to rally and support the caregivers that stand by their loved ones going through cancer. I Relay because I know my daughter is BRCA positive and has an elevated risk of Ovarian Cancer. I Relay to contribute and support research in hopes of finding a cure. And I relay to help advance technology to improve early detection as well treatment options for those affected by Cancer. That’s why I relay. I will never stop Relaying. Relaying is my life.
Read Amy’s story here: In Memory of Amy Huffaker
About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Historically, ovarian cancer was called the “silent killer” because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies have shown this term is untrue and that the following symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population. These symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Pelvic and Abdominal Pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
- Family History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer
Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies. The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several studies show that even early stage Ovarian Cancer can produce these symptoms.
Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis.
BRCA and Family History
During Amy’s treatment, she was tested and confirmed BRCA1 Positive. Her sister had previously died of Breast Cancer in 2008, and it was later discovered that she did have extensive family history of the cancer. Prior to her diagnosis, this was not widely known or discussed. One of Amy’s aunts passed away from Ovarian Cancer, and her Grandmother passed away from Breast Cancer.
My point is this: Amy had extensive family history of Female Cancers, yet I was completely unaware of this fact until after her diagnosis. Even had I known, I’m not sure if I would have known that it increased her risk or that we needed to do anything differently. Looking back, we would likely have taken a completely different approach when Amy started experiencing symptoms.