Laura Berman

Ovarian cancer not quiet anymore

Ten years ago, Sheryl Silver's big sister died.

Johanna Silver Gordon was 52 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and, at the time, her younger sister believed what she read: that ovarian cancer kills silently, without warning signs or symptoms.

By the time Silver's research debunked that notion, Gordon -- a Southfield school teacher and model of good health habits -- was gone. But Silver was outraged because she'd discovered not all of the 15,000 women who die annually from ovarian cancer need to: Early treatment makes a difference, but few women -- about 20 percent -- receive an early diagnosis.

Educating on symptoms

Her anger has fueled a remarkable one-woman campaign in the years since. In 2003, she devised a piece of legislation, named it "Johanna's Law" and hauled it to legislators, including U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, who co-sponsored it.

The bill won early support, but for three terms of Congress, failed to pass. "It took longer than I ever expected," said Silver, who speaks in a nonstop staccato.

A freelance writer, she divides her time between Bloomfield Hills and Washington, D.C.

In January of this year, Johanna's Law became federal law.

It memorializes Gordon and authorizes the U.S. government to mount a $16.7 million annual public campaign notifying women of potential symptoms of ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. While it authorizes the spending, it does not actually appropriate any money, making the law unfunded legislation at the moment.

Last week, her research was publicly vindicated when three powerful medical groups signed a statement agreeing that ovarian cancer doesn't "whisper" as quietly as once thought: A well-informed woman can tune into its signals, including bloating, pelvic pain, urinary symptoms and difficulty eating or feeling full quickly.

Awaiting funding

The symptoms that doctors said did not exist -- or were too vague to describe as potential symptoms of ovarian cancer -- are going public.

The new consensus "really helps the cause," of getting Congress to fund Johanna's Law, according to Sherry Salway Black, executive director of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

"If everyone had (Sheryl Silver's) passion, we'd have $100 million for that law," she added.

For now, Johanna's Law is toothless, awaiting action and funds. But Sheryl Silver is driven by her sister's memory and the belief that information can save women's lives. You'd be crazy to bet against her.

Laura Berman's column appears on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. You can reach her at (248) 647-7221 or lberman@detnews.com.