Survivor of Rare Pediatric Ovarian Cancer Celebrates Return to School
GiaVanni Hendricks behaves like any other 8-year-old, except that she has recently completed a course of chemotherapy for a rare form of ovarian cancer.
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January 7, 2010
GiaVanni Hendricks behaves like any other 8-year-old, except that she has recently completed a course of chemotherapy for a rare form of ovarian cancer. After the doctors had declared her cancer-free, the girl was also able to return to school in person.
In fact, she missed little of her education during her therapy because Stopher Elementary in Louisville, Kentucky, allowed the second-grader to learn and participate from home via a webcam, according to the Courier Journal.
As a result, when GiaVanni returned to school, she was able to catch up quickly and went on to make the principal's list for good grades and is thriving on the cheerleading team.
"Everyone was so good to us," the girl's mother told the news provider, referring to the support from the school and community.
Ovarian cancer in young children is extremely rare, but according to the American Cancer Society it is the ninth most common cancer in adult women and ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death. Research suggests 70 percent of women who do not survive were diagnosed when the disease was already advanced.
In addition to early detection, prevention efforts may reduce a person's risk, and they include birth control pills and surgical procedures such as tubal ligation or hysterectomy. However, these methods are not for everyone and should be carefully considered in consultation with a doctor.
Survivors and their families who look for more information and resources may consult the websites of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, both of which also accept donations.
GiaVanni Hendricks behaves like any other 8-year-old, except that she has recently completed a course of chemotherapy for a rare form of ovarian cancer. After the doctors had declared her cancer-free, the girl was also able to return to school in person.
In fact, she missed little of her education during her therapy because Stopher Elementary in Louisville, Kentucky, allowed the second-grader to learn and participate from home via a webcam, according to the Courier Journal.
As a result, when GiaVanni returned to school, she was able to catch up quickly and went on to make the principal's list for good grades and is thriving on the cheerleading team.
"Everyone was so good to us," the girl's mother told the news provider, referring to the support from the school and community.
Ovarian cancer in young children is extremely rare, but according to the American Cancer Society it is the ninth most common cancer in adult women and ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death. Research suggests 70 percent of women who do not survive were diagnosed when the disease was already advanced.
In addition to early detection, prevention efforts may reduce a person's risk, and they include birth control pills and surgical procedures such as tubal ligation or hysterectomy. However, these methods are not for everyone and should be carefully considered in consultation with a doctor.
Survivors and their families who look for more information and resources may consult the websites of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, both of which also accept donations.
