BRCA Ovarian Cancer: Dena's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Dena Svoboda was 56 when severe acid reflux led to the discovery of a 25-pound ovarian tumor. She underwent surgery to remove it, followed by chemotherapy. Just over 1 year later, the ovarian cancer returned. During an 8.5-hour operation, surgeons removed cancer that had spread to her appendix, gallbladder, and bowels. After removing the visible disease, they delivered heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, often called a chemo bath, by circulating chemotherapy inside the abdomen for up to 90 minutes. Nearly 4 years after that operation, Dena was thriving and the cancer had not recurred. She continued to receive intravenous chemotherapy every 5 weeks and reported minimal side effects, describing the treatments as part of her routine. During treatment, Dena also learned that she carried a BRCA mutation associated with ovarian cancer. She hoped her daughters would undergo testing and worked with her physician to help them understand the importance of knowing their risk. Dena encouraged women to seek medical evaluation promptly when they notice possible ovarian-cancer symptoms. Her experience centered on recurrence, long-term treatment, and maintaining a healthy, productive life while continuing regular chemotherapy.