Uterine cancer survivor in the Sault stresses early detection
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and a Sault Ste. Marie woman is using the occasion to tell her own story of survival.
Karen Gillgrass is looking to spread the word on uterine cancer, a common illness that is not widely known.
Gillgrass recently received a clean bill of health from her doctor, having successfully completed her treatment. She counts herself lucky as she initially dismissed her symptoms.
“The symptoms are very hard to distinguish,” said Gillgrass. “Being a woman of my age, I am post-menopausal, and so I had post-menopausal bleeding. But it really wasn’t enough to be concerning.”
Gillgrass spent 40 years working in the health care field. At the time of her diagnosis, she was about to embark on a trip to the U.S., and wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong before departing.
“As soon as I saw my doctor, she knew that there was something wrong,” said Gillgrass.
“She sent me for tests and I went on my trip ... I came home and she told me the news that I have uterine cancer.”
Dr. Allison Pihelgas, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, said the clinic sees a surprising number of uterine cancer cases. If detected early, she said it's easily treatable.
“It shows itself pretty early, and so that’s why it’s really important for women to go to their doctor if anything is abnormal and go to regular screening,” said Pihelgas.
Sad cases
However, she said many women tend to ignore their health, which sometimes leads to tragedy.
“There are sad cases where it’s left for a really long time,” she said.
“And often you see women who have been suffering with this for years before they see a physician.”
It’s been a year since Gillgrass had her surgery and was told recently that she is still cancer-free. She credits staff at Sault Area Hospital’s Cancer Clinic for her recovery.
“I’m so proud of my doctors and how they took care of me,” said Gillgrass.
“And when I walked through those doors at the Sault Area Hospital, I felt safe.”
Both Gillgrass and Pihelgas said there needs to be more talk about feminine cancers and that women need to pay more attention to their health.
They continue to encourage regular checkups and stress the importance of early detection.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.