Anderson Township mom shares ovarian cancer diagnosis after thinking she had sinus infection

Anderson Township's Jessica Gilbert and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Caroline Billingsley spoke with ABC's Good Morning America to discuss Gilbert's ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment after initially thinking she had a sinus infection.

"The whole world just stood still," Gilbert recalled of receiving her diagnosis. "I was just totally shocked. [I had] no family history. I didn't know any of the signs for ovarian cancer. I just didn't know anything about it at all."

The symptoms of ovarian cancer can vary, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they may include vaginal bleeding or discharge from the vagina, pain or pressure in the pelvic area, abdominal or back pain, bloating, feeling full too quickly, difficulty eating, constipation, or a frequent or an urgent need to urinate.

Billingsley said people may not be as familiar with ovarian cancer symptoms and treatments compared to more common cancers like breast and lung cancer.

"I feel like a lot of people don't talk about women's below-the-belt cancers, and so, women don't know any of the signs or symptoms, because they just aren't aware of them," said Billingsley, MD, Cancer Center physician researcher and associate professor in UC's College of Medicine. "And ovarian cancer is really sneaky. It is a cancer that does not have one thing that is very easy to tell, 'Oh, this is definitely ovarian cancer.' And it's very slow initially, in terms of the symptoms, but then very fast growing on the inside."

After multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, Gilbert is currently on targeted maintenance therapy with medications.

"[I] just try to be in the present and just enjoy life. I went on the roller coaster with my son a couple weeks ago … and that meant the world to me," Gilbert said. "I missed out on some things but I still was at my daughter's dance recital during chemo with my mask on, so I could be there for her. Take care of yourself, but get out there and still live your life."

Read the ABC News story.

WLWT also featured Gilbert's story. Watch or read the WLWT report.

Featured photo at top of ovarian cancer cells. Photo/OGPhoto/iStock.