Known as the "silent killer," ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system because symptoms usually do not cause concern until the disease has reached advanced stages. Fortunately, however, when identified and treated in its earliest stages, patients with ovarian cancer have a 5-year survival rate of 93 percent.

Janice (Jan) LaPorta, of Coopersburg, is living proof of that statistic. What started as a "tingle" in her arm was diagnosed as a blood clot, which eventually led to the discovery of a football-sized mass in her abdomen. Suspecting cancer, both her family doctor and her gynecologist referred LaPorta to gynecologic oncologist Nicholas Taylor, M.D., of the St. Luke's University Health Network.

Taylor performed a total hysterectomy and also removed her appendix May 29, 2012 at St. Luke's University Hospital – Bethlehem. In addition to ovarian cancer, the pathology showed LaPorta had a secondary cancer, synchronous endometrial, a type of uterine cancer. Surgery was followed by monthly chemotherapy treatments.

While receiving treatments, LaPorta busied herself by returning phone calls and emails. Despite the chemotherapy, she felt so well she never missed a day of work and even continued to travel for her job as a sales representative for a pharmaceutical packaging company. In fact, she experienced so few side effects she opted to immediately start maintenance chemotherapy.

An option available to patients, Taylor explains extending chemotherapy sessions once a month for a year has been shown to postpone recurrence. Unfortunately, it does not extend 5-year life expectancy.

"For me, cancer came wicked; and came fast," LaPorta said. "The support of Dr. Taylor and his staff was so comforting. I have never encountered a group of people who were so caring about their patients. Their follow-up care was excellent."

Taylor believes LaPorta's prognosis is excellent given they were able to remove all of the cancerous cells. Her healthy lifestyle, coupled with her positive attitude, will contribute to her chances of living a long, healthy life.

Taylor encourages all women to be aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, have yearly gynecologic examinations and discuss any concerns with their physicians. Symptoms include: vague abdominal pain and pelvic discomfort, bloating, abdomen growing bigger without eating more, persistent gas or indigestion, change in bowel habits, frequent urge to urinate, unexplained fatigue or back pain, unusual bleeding or discharge and shortness of breath.

"Unfortunately, these symptoms can be so vague in the early stages and common to many illnesses, that ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose," Taylor said. "Coupled with that, the medical community does not have a good screening tool for ovarian cancer at this time. Fortunately, some promising trials, including those involving genetic factors, are underway."

A family history of ovarian, as well as other gynecological cancers, significantly increases a women's risk of developing ovarian cancer. Taylor recommends women know their family cancer history on both their mother's and father's side. Did relatives have cancer, particularly ovarian and breast cancer, and if yes, at what age? Lynch Syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, also increases a woman's risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. Because LaPorta had both ovarian and uterine cancer, Taylor recommended she be tested for Lynch Syndrome. The results showed she did not have it, which is fortunate because Lynch Syndrome significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer.