Pierce Embraces the Present
- Actor Pierce Brosnan, 67, embraces a peaceful way of living after losing his first wife and daughter to ovarian cancer.
- Ovarian cancer has been called “the cancer that whispers,” due to its hard to spot symptoms.
- Following a cancer-related losses, many people find support from tools like therapy, meditation, support groups, and loved ones.
Brosnan is a huge inspiration for those who have lost a spouse to cancer. We admire his positive outlook so much.
Brosnan’s Cancer Losses
Brosnan lost his first wife, Cassandra, in 1991 from ovarian cancer. She underwent four years of treatment for the disease and died at just 43. Decades later, their daughter, Charlotte, also passed away from the same disease in 2013. Charlotte was one year younger than her mother when she passed; she was 42.
The actor credits his second wife, Keely Shaye Smith, with helping him restore his happiness. Brosnan has found peace and solace through outlets such as painting.
Many who experience cancer-related loss cope with tremendous amounts of grief, and it’s important to find an outlet for your emotions be it through art, meditation, therapy, or other means.
A Guided Meditation for the SurvivorNet Community
Detecting Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer has been called “the cancer that whispers,” due to its hard to detect symptoms. Dr. Lisa Diver, a gynecologic oncologist at Standford University, tells SurvivorNet, “…ovarian cancer is very difficult to detect early." The symptoms, she says, can be extremely subtle. "They can include things like feeling bloated or getting full sooner after eating," says Dr. Diver.
Related: 5 Possible Symptoms That May Indicate Gynecological Cancer
"I think it's really important that women advocate for themselves when they know that something isn't right with their bodies," she says. "In general, the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be subtle, and they are symptoms that many of us experience for more mundane reasons, like a GI bug or on your period. However, for ovarian cancer, these symptoms tend to persist and they don't go away with the time of the month or get better in a few days."
Related: 'Faith, Family, and Friends' Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment
If you experience persistent symptoms for longer than two weeks, Dr. Diver says you should speak to your doctor and get a full medical evaluation.
The Subtle Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
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