Making Mom Proud
- Kevin Hart lost his mother, Nancy, to ovarian cancer in 2007.
- Hart's mother supported his dreams, and he's made it a point to go after them in full force since her death. Most recently, Hart is trying his hand at being a talk show host with his upcoming show Hart to Heart.
- Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the "cancer that whispers" because of its subtle symptoms. One of our experts recommends women look out for a variety of possible symptoms. When in doubt, consult your doctor if something feels off.
In a recent Instagram post, Hart, 42, shared the exciting news of his talk show Hart to Heart with streaming giant Peacock.
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“Welcome to my first ever talk show,” Hart said. “And I know what you’re thinking, you’re like, ‘Oh Kevin, it’s just a talk show, no big deal.’ Wrong people!”
He also gave fans a sneak peak of what to expect from the upcoming show. Knowing Hart’s effortless command of a stage and honest, almost self-deprecating humor, it’s safe to say this show will probably be full of laughter if nothing else.
“We’re gonna get to know one another. We drink wine here,” he said. “We’re gonna have a Hart to Heart.”
Understanding Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is when the ovaries which produce the sex hormone, estrogen, as well as eggs become cancerous. Women have two ovaries, one on either side of the uterus.
The fallopian tube, which brings the egg from the ovary to the uterus for fertilization, is actually where many ovarian cancers begin. First, a few cancerous cells develop on the fallopian tubes, then these cells stick to the ovaries as the fallopian tubes brush over the ovary. From there, the cancerous cells grow to form a tumor.
Taking Control of Your Ovarian Cancer Risk
Dr. Beth Karlan, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Medical Center, says the term ovarian cancer refers to a number of different tumors that reside in the ovary. She also says that ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognize as its symptoms may be subtle.
"Ovarian cancer does not have any specific symptoms," Karlan said in an earlier interview with SurvivorNet. "It's often referred to as the cancer that whispers, in that it has symptoms that are really very vague…and nothing that may bring your attention directly to the ovaries."
Ovarian Cancer: The Cancer That Whispers
Dr. Karlan advises women to keep an eye out for a variety of possible symptoms.
"The symptoms include things like feeling full earlier than you usually would when your appetite is strong," she said. "Feeling bloated," is another symptom, she added. "Some changes in your bowel habits. Some pain in the pelvis. These are symptoms women may have every month. These are not very specific. But what we've found from multiple studies, it's this constellation of symptoms."
Losing a Loved One to Cancer
Losing a loved one to cancer can cause immeasurable pain, as Hart can surely attest to. In his mother's absence, Hart has been determined to stay motivated and achieve things that will make his mom and himself proud. Doing things to keep yourself motivated is incredibly important, but remembering all the wonderful ways your loved one enriched your life can help you move forward.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Caleb Farley talked about his mother's battle with breast cancer and how he opted out of his position as a cornerback for the Virginia Tech Hokies due to COVID-19 concerns. Having lost his mom to breast cancer in 2018, he knew he wanted to be extra careful during the pandemic.
Farley announced the news of his opt-out in an Instagram video saying, in part, "I cannot afford to lose another parent or loved one… Though the competitor in me badly wants to play this season, I cannot ignore what's going on in my heart, and I must make the decision that brings me the most peace."
Farley trained for the NFL draft instead of playing for Virginia Tech, and his efforts paid off. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans as the number 22 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Farley's mother fought two battles with cancer. He watched as she went through multiple rounds of chemotherapy while still working and taking care of her family. Although his "superhero" mother will not get to see him play in the NFL, Farley will take many lessons he learned from her and apply them to whatever challenges he faces in life moving forward.
"My mother raised me to be very religious, very God-conscious. That's been everything to me, and my life. That's like the building blocks of my, of my life," Farley told SurvivorNet. "Anything that's happened to me, any adversity, any good times, any bad times, I've always kind of stood on that rock of faith. I can't thank her enough for how she raised me and because it was her who gave me all of that, um, spiritually, she, she just filled my heart with love and joy. I've had a happy life because of her."
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