Professor Spreads Message About Catching Cancer Early

Staff Writer

   

   Cancer occurs in men and women, but certain types of cancers occur exclusively in women.

   Sandra Watson, an instructor at the University of Arkansas in Monticello, was recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer. In October 2008, Watson went to her doctor for her annual check up. The doctor told Watson everything was normal, but she returned to the doctor earlier this year.

   “I thought it was silly to go for a check up when I had just been, but something told me to go,” Watson said.

   The doctor could find nothing wrong with Watson, but decided to do a biopsy to make sure. The biopsy came back questionable, and Watson was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

   Endometrial cancer is a cancer that starts in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus.

   Watson wanted to wait to have surgery to remove the cancer during spring break. The doctors told Watson they would not advise her to wait to have the surgery, because it was two weeks away.

   The surgery successfully removed all of Watson’s cancer. After the surgery, the doctor told Watson if she had waited two weeks the cancer would have spread to other organs in her body.

   “Most women think if they get their yearly check up they are covered. I want to get the message across that women should not hesitate to consult their physician if they feel something is wrong” Watson said.

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