Speaking Out: A Navigational Tool for Patients by Patients for Those Facing Stomach Cancer (WEBINAR)

Hope for Stomach Cancer recently hosted a panel discussion titled Speaking Out: A Navigational Tool for Patients by Patients for Those Facing Stomach Cancer. The panel featured several patients - Rachel Orth, Camilla Rowe, Suzanne Ottinger, Jason Diaz, and Irasema Chavez - who volunteered to share their stories with listeners. Tom Smith moderated the panel discussion.
Overview
Each speaker had unique stories and experiences to share. Rachel Orth, who received her stomach cancer diagnosis in her early thirties, has had a long treatment journey that’s included multiple rounds of chemotherapy and several clinical trials. Camilla Row received her diagnosis in her late thirties and has undergone chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and HIPEC treatments. Suzanne Ottinger received her diagnosis in 2021 and had FLOT chemotherapy along with immunotherapy. Jason was diagnosed in 2018 and had a mix of chemotherapy and immunotherapy as well. Lastly, Irasema received her diagnosis at age 34, had a recurrence after treatment, and faced breast cancer as well.
Each participant detailed their journey of discovering their diagnosis, receiving treatment, undergoing surgery, and handling the mental and physical effects of living with stomach cancer. The discussion was filled with meaningful moments and useful advice.
Highlights, Advice, and Takeaways
Listen to your body and trust your intuition, even if doctors are telling you there’s nothing to worry about.
Find support at all stages of the journey.
Explore all of your treatment options, including clinical trials.
Seek multiple opinions and do not accept that it’s the end of the road until you’ve explored all of your options.
Advocate for yourself and vocalize your needs, feelings, and questions.
Understand that staging is a helpful tool, but that it doesn’t mean your outcome is set in stone.
Find a care team that treats you with compassion and respect.
Learn as much about your specific cancer as you can. Pursue genetic testing and other options to help you determine if any of your loved ones could be at risk.
Familiarize yourself with your family history, potential risk factors, and common symptoms so that you can make informed decisions about your health.
Schedule regular scans, checkups, and testing to monitor your condition and catch any signs of recurrence early.
Understand that the process of getting a diagnosis takes time, and people frequently get misdiagnosed at first. This is especially true for young patients, since doctors figure it’s unlikely that a young patient would be facing stomach cancer.
Focus on overall wellness in addition to cancer treatments. Small things, like counseling, diet, getting fresh air, meditating, and participating in support groups can make a major difference.
Allow yourself grace. Know that it’s okay to pass through the stages of grief and to feel each emotion as it comes. Positivity and mindset are powerful, but you may not be happy or hopeful 100 percent of the time - and that’s okay.

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Thanks for sharing this!