Olympic Gymnast and Ovarian Cancer Survivor Shannon Miller, 44, Gives The Pep Talk We All Need: ‘It's In The Falls, Mistakes, And Flat Out Failures That I Always Learned The Most’

Gearing up for this year’s Olympics, Miller, an Olympic gymnast who competed in the Olympics in the 1990s, shares her excitement on her Facebook page, writing, “I cannot believe it's days away from both the 2020ne Olympics and the 25th Anniversary of the 1996 Olympic Games!!! This was from our 20th reunion of the Magnificent 7 in 2016. Crazy how time flies!!!” Despite the great memories, in another post she recalls something cancer patients can certainly identify with: “I always try to remind myself of the struggles along the way. It's in the falls, mistakes, and flat out failures that I always learned the most.”

Miller has two gold, two silver, and three bronze Olympic medals. She broke the record for winning the most Olympic medals of any U.S. athlete in any sport during the 1992 Olympics; there, she won two silver and three bronze medals in one Olympics.

Team U.S.A representing at Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics this July includes gymnasts Simone Biles who is leading the gymnastics team Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum.

Miller’s Cancer Advocacy

Miller was just 33 years old when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Today, she is admirably vocal about her disease and uses her profile to raise awareness around ovarian cancer and being a survivor.

Related: 'It Was Bad': Fashion Designer Alexa Chung Details Ovarian Cancer Scare Before Being Diagnosed with Endometriosis

In a Facebook post this week, she writes, “One of the best parts of being a cancer survivor is sharing your story and encouraging others to never give up. From small intimate talks to large fundraiser crowds, each cancer awareness event is a blessing.”

Related: 'A Zebra Without Its Stripes': Model and Ovarian Cancer Survivor Ash Foo Says She Doesn't Recognize Pictures of Herself Before Treatment Achieving Body Positivity after Cancer

In an earlier interview with SurvivorNet, Miller encourages people fighting cancer to stay positive, and surround themselves with loving support. She says, “Keep those good, positive thoughts and people around you. I know it's not easy and it's not going to happen every day, but the more we can be positive and keep those good vibes going, the better."

'Keep Those Good Vibes Going' Olympic Gold Medalist and Cancer Survivor Shannon Miller's Special Holiday Message

Understanding Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer has been called the cancer that “whispers,” due to its hard-to-spot symptoms. In an earlier interview, Dr. Beth Karlan, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Medical Center, explains what to look for with this cancer.

Related: Actor Justin Long, 42, Opens Up About Mom's Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Saying He Felt 'Wave of Fear & Sadness'

Dr. Karlan says, “If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, and they seem to be ‘crescendoing,’ or getting worse, it is worth it to see a doctor to rule out ovarian cancer:

• Feeling full earlier/decrease in appetite
• Feeling bloated
• Changes in bowel habits
• Pain in the pelvis
• Urinary symptoms, such as an urgent need to go
• Extreme fatigue
• Abdominal swelling
• Pain during sex

She says, “These are not very specific. But what we’ve found from multiple studies, it’s this constellation of symptoms. If that goes on for only two weeks, you should call your doctor. Let them know and say that you’re concerned.”

Ovarian Cancer: The Cancer That Whispers

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