Beauty in the Suck: Dr. Shieva’s Playbook for Smarter OBGYN Self-Advocacy EP 4

Hosts Kristin Hocker and Meghan Caponiti talk with Dr. Shieva, a Connecticut OB-GYN and midlife strategist, about her stage-II ovarian cancer journey and the facts most women (and many clinicians) miss. She reframes ovarian cancer from a “silent killer” to a subtle disease with no screening test, and gives practical steps to catch problems earlier and advocate inside a messy healthcare system. No screening test for ovarian cancer. A Pap smear does not screen for it; mammograms/colonoscopies are different types of screening. Silent” is a myth, it’s subtle: look for persistent (≥2 weeks) pelvic bloating, pain, or pressure. Pelvic exam limits: Bimanual exams often miss masses; request a pelvic ultrasound when symptoms persist (expect possible out-of-pocket costs). Adopt this mindset: “High index of suspicion, low threshold to look, calmly.” Avoid panic, but don’t delay. Her path: Long history of endometriosis → abnormal cyst → surgery revealed stage II ovarian cancer; treatment included chemo and surgical complications, plus lessons on scaling back, boundaries, and survivorship care. Family history matters: Know cancers on both sides (breast, colon, ovarian, uterine, melanoma, pancreatic, prostate, GI). Consider genetic testing and risk-reducing conversations if history is significant. Risk-reducing salpingectomy: For women done with childbearing, removing fallopian tubes (e.g., at C-section or another surgery) can lower ovarian cancer risk because many cases originate in the tubes. Whole-person care gap: Oncologists focus on survival; patients often need additional proactive support for sexual health, tissues, and emotional recovery. Community & voice: Sharing experiences helps others catch issues earlier and feel less alone. Mindset mantra: “Find the beauty within the suck”—allow space to complain and look for what helps you move forward. This is your practical ovarian-cancer know-how. what to watch for, which tests to ask for, and how to self-advocate. anchored by a compassionate, real-world survivor’s lens. . Connect with Dr. Shieva  Website  LinkedIn  Instagram Connect with Kristin and Meghan  Instagram