Did you know that an estimated 14,000 women will lose their lives to ovarian cancer this year? Additionally, the pap test does not detect ovarian cancer. Due to a lack of early detection tests, 80% of the time, ovarian cancer is not detected until it has reached an advanced stage. That is why the month of September is designated to ovarian cancer awareness in the United States.

Because ovarian cancer is difficult to detect, it is important to know the signs and symptoms and to receive regular health checkups with your gynecologist.

What are symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer rarely causes symptoms early on, and in later stages, symptoms are often brushed off. They can include feeling unusually full, bloating, weight loss, a frequent need to urinate, discomfort in the pelvis area, and constipation or other changes in bowel habits. It is important to discuss these symptoms (and other things you may be experiencing) with your doctor at your regular checkups.

Who gets ovarian cancer?

About 1 in 78 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer during their lifetime. There are certain factors that can increase a woman’s risk for getting ovarian cancer. These include having a close family member that had ovarian cancer, having an eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish background, having endometriosis, being middle aged or older, or having difficulties getting pregnant. Of course, you are still at risk of getting ovarian cancer even if none of these factors apply to you, so it is important to pay attention to your health.

How is ovarian cancer treated?

Ovarian cancer can be treated in two ways, and often a combination of them: surgery or chemotherapy. During a surgical operation, cancerous tissue is removed. Chemotherapy is a form of medicine that kills the cancer that can be taken in the form of a pill or intravenously.

If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you will be referred to a gynecologic oncologist who specializes in the treatment of cancers in women’s reproductive systems. Your doctor will help you decide the best form of treatment for you.

How can I help in the fight against ovarian cancer?

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition has a lot of resources and ways that you can support and join the fight! The September awareness campaign focuses on earlier awareness of symptoms and the lack of an early detection test. You can spread awareness by sharing on social media and following #KnowOvarian, join a local Run/Walk, wear a teal ribbon (symbolizing ovarian cancer support), or talking with friends and family about your experiences with ovarian cancer. Find more information at ovarian.org.

If you’d like to speak with one of our providers at Cheyenne OBGYN about ovarian cancer, please schedule an appointment with us at 307-634-5216.

The month of August is acknowledged as National Breastfeeding Month, and during this time, many organizations, women’s health clinics, and individuals advocate for breastfeeding awareness and support for mothers. For more information on this year’s theme, Many Voices United, please visit usbreastfeeding.org.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

There are many reasons that mothers choose to breastfeed or not, and it is ultimately a personal decision that needs to be made by the mother and her family. However, if you are able, there are many benefits to the baby that breastfeeds.

Many medical experts advise breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of your baby’s life. After the six month mark, other vegetables, fruits, and proteins can be introduced alongside of breast milk, which should continue for at least a year. Breast milk provides the best nutrition for infants and has hormones, enzymes, and antibodies that cannot be replicated in a formula. Mothers’ bodies are able to produce the perfect blend of vitamins, proteins, and fats that their child needs. A mother’s milk can also adapt between feedings to produce exactly what her baby needs. Babies who breastfeed have fewer respiratory illnesses, ear infections, bouts of diarrhea, and trips to the doctor.

Breastfeeding is not only beneficial to the baby; it is good for moms, too! Breastfeeding releases oxytocin which can help the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size and reduce uterine bleeding. Breastfeeding has also been known to reduce the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.

How to Support Breastfeeding Moms

Being a new parent is a transition in itself, let alone breastfeeding! It can affect a mother’s life dramatically, as a newborn often wants to breastfeed for most of the time that he or she is awake. Managing to eat and sleep in between feedings is a lot for new moms, or even experienced mothers who are also raising older children at the same time.

Mothers who are breastfeeding often feel intense connections with their babies. Breastfeeding hormones are produced, and she feels the need to stay nearby to nurse her baby.

There are many ways to support a breastfeeding mother, whether you are a partner, family member, or stranger! If you are the partner, do your part by cleaning pump parts, helping take the baby off mom’s hands in between feedings, and taking care of other baby needs such as burping and changing. When in public, stand up for moms who are feeding, and be encouraging! When in doubt, do not be afraid to ask mom how you can help, if she wants company, or just tell her how great she is doing.

 

Breastfeeding is an amazing thing that women can do! The physicians at Cheyenne OBGYN encourage you to take this month of August, National Breastfeeding Month, and learn about how you can support the moms who are breastfeeding in your community. Whether they are your partner, a neighbor, a family member, friend, or stranger, we should all be aware of the challenges breastfeeding mothers face and do our best to make their lives easier. If you have questions, please give us a call at 307-634-5216.

One of our wonderful providers was on maternity leave for the last few months, but we’re now excited to be welcoming her back on August 3! Dr. Michelena has been with Cheyenne OBGYN for several years and has a special interest in adolescent health, minimally invasive surgeries, and high risk obstetrics. Her and her husband Brian Pieper, along with their daughter, Hazel (2), welcomed a new brother to the family in April! To celebrate her return, we asked her a few questions about what it’s like to be the mother of a newborn right now.

COG: When was your new baby born?

SM: April 8, 2020

COG: What is the baby’s name?

SM: Jack Sawyer Pieper

COG: What are you most excited about upon your return to Cheyenne OBGYN?

SM: Returning to the opportunity to take care of so many wonderful women in our area again.

COG: What will you miss about maternity leave?

SM: So much quality time with my husband and kids.

COG: Could you share a few of your favorite new baby parenting tips that work for you and your family?

SM: Having somewhat of a schedule has helped us and our kids tremendously. But I’ve also had to learn to be flexible within that schedule and go the flow a bit with a head strong toddler and newborn.

COG: Do you have any parenting tips for fellow moms during the time of COVID-19?

SM: Pregnancy, delivery, and maternity leave during COVID have had their own set of challenges. The biggest tip I would have (which I still struggle with some days) is giving yourself and your family more grace. Understand that taking care of yourself with rest, gentle exercise, and understanding are so important for you all during these unusual times. Schedules, baby sleep, and weight concerns will come with time. It’s easy to get caught up in what we can’t do right now or what our kids are missing out on … for example we skipped newborn photos, had minimal visitors, and were wishing for more park days and outings that we couldn’t do. All of this can make maternity leave feel more isolating than it already is. But focus on all of the special bonding with baby and family that this time allows!

Cheyenne OBGYN is excited to welcome a new provider to our team this month! Mary Toth, NP brings over 21 years’ worth of experience to Cheyenne OBGYN and has a special interest in women’s health and medical aesthetics. Mary loves every aspect of obstetrics and gynecology, including normal and high-risk obstetrics, gynecological care (especially patient education), and medical aesthetics.

Mary is not a native to Wyoming but has received incredible education and experience from all around the country. She is a doctorally trained family nurse practitioner with a specialty in obstetrics and gynecology. Mary is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from Wright State University with her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), Masters of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Master of Science as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. She received a Bachelor of Science as a Registered Nurse and Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

As a provider, Mary aims to ensure that every patient feels heard and empowered to achieve their optimal health. She is looking forward to joining Cheyenne OBGYN and working with our incredible group of providers.

Mary is married to Colonel Paul J. Toth and has three children:  Zachary, who is a senior at Mississippi State studying Petroleum/Chemical Engineering; Mitchell is a sophomore at the University of Mississippi studying Bio-Medical Engineering/Pre-Med; and Megan, who is sophomore at Central High School.  In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, being outdoors, cooking, and spending time with her family.  

Mary is currently accepting new patients! If you are interested in making an appointment with her, please call our office at 307-634-5216.

On average, every day in Wyoming, one person is diagnosed with breast cancer. One day, that person was Lisa Wagner. Lisa is the wife of Dr. Bert Wagner, one of our wonderful providers at Cheyenne OBGYN. Dr. Wagner has served gynecology patients in southeast Wyoming for almost 30 years, and thus has helped many women through their breast cancer journeys, including Lisa.

This year, Dr. and Lisa Wagner are serving as honorary chairs for the 2020 Pink Ribbon Run and Fun. This race is put on by the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative as a fundraiser to support Wyoming residents with breast cancer.

The Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative (WBCI) works to support breast cancer programs within Wyoming, focusing on breast health education. The initiative also assists financially with breast cancer screenings, survivor services, and patient navigation. Since its establishment in 2016, WBCI has granted over $350,000 into projects and breast cancer screening and early detection programs available all across Wyoming.

The WBCI uses several events throughout the year to both raise awareness as well as meet their financial goals for supporting breast cancer programs. One of these is the Wyoming Pink Ribbon Run & Fun. While WBCI typically hosts a run that is held outdoors with teams all decked out in matching tees, COVID-19 has changed the plan just a little bit this year. The run has gone virtual!

Our team at Cheyenne OBGYN will be participating in the Run and Fun this year – we’ve named our team ‘Simply the Breast’. We’d love for you to join us and support the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative! Visit wyomingbreastcancer.org for more information.