[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/life-saving-advice-from-ovarian-cancer-survivor-and-hope-community-cancer-center-patient-elaine-pantellas\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/life-saving-advice-from-ovarian-cancer-survivor-and-hope-community-cancer-center-patient-elaine-pantellas\/","headline":"Life-Saving Advice from Ovarian Cancer Survivor and Hope Community Cancer Center Patient Elaine Pantellas","name":"Life-Saving Advice from Ovarian Cancer Survivor and Hope Community Cancer Center Patient Elaine Pantellas","description":"Life-Saving Advice from Ovarian Cancer Survivor and Hope Community Cancer Center Patient Elaine Pantellas September 1, 2025 If something about your health or body doesn\u2019t seem right, don\u2019t ignore it, but don\u2019t engage in self-diagnosis, either. Rather, see your doctor without delay.For Elaine Pantellas, those are words to live by \u2013 literally.The Cape May Court […]","datePublished":"2025-09-01","dateModified":"2025-09-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/seo-user\/#Person","name":"Advance SEO","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/author\/seo-user\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/logo.svg","width":506,"height":228}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/woman-feeling-abdominal-pain-from-ovarian-cancer.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/woman-feeling-abdominal-pain-from-ovarian-cancer.jpg","height":1299,"width":2309},"url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/life-saving-advice-from-ovarian-cancer-survivor-and-hope-community-cancer-center-patient-elaine-pantellas\/","about":["All Cancers"],"wordCount":2209,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLife-Saving Advice from Ovarian Cancer Survivor and Hope Community Cancer Center Patient Elaine Pantellas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeptember 1, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIf something about your health or body doesn\u2019t seem right, don\u2019t ignore it, but don\u2019t engage in self-diagnosis, either. Rather, see your doctor without delay.For Elaine Pantellas, those are words to live by \u2013 literally.The Cape May Court House resident says following this straightforward precept saved her life by enabling physicians to promptly identify and treat her ovarian cancer.Here, she shares her story with Regional Cancer Care Associates, one of the nation\u2019s largest cancer networks with more than 20 locations near you\u00a0in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area.\u201cMy only symptom was that my stomach was bloated, which can be caused by so many different conditions,\u201d Ms. Pantellas says. She adds that when she saw her primary care physician to evaluate the bloating, the doctor sent her directly to the local hospital\u2019s emergency department, where physicians drained a significant amount of fluid from her abdomen. After running tests that ruled out other conditions, one of the emergency department\u2019s physicians came to Ms. Pantellas\u2019 bedside and told her she had cancer.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cMy family was there, and we all almost fell through the floor,\u201d she explains of that fateful day in August 2023. Ms. Pantellas adds, \u201cI remembered that years before, when you heard that a woman had ovarian cancer, it was as though she had been given a death sentence.\u201dThe retiree explains that the news of her diagnosis was particularly disconcerting because many years earlier she had undergone a hysterectomy and, at the time, her surgeon had recommended removing only one ovary along with the uterus, so that Ms. Pantellas would not experience premature menopause due to the loss of both ovaries. \u201cI kept thinking, I\u2019m 75 now, and I\u2019m facing a cancer that is far worse than going through menopause at age 40 would have been,\u201d she recalls.Finding the Right Medical OncologistMs. Pantellas was still coming to terms with her diagnosis and its implications when she met the medical oncologist who has provided her with care \u2013 and hope \u2013 ever since. \u201cMy primary care doctor recommended Dr. Julianne W. Childs. I met her briefly in the hospital when I had to stay overnight so that they could drain more fluid, and then I went to see her at her office, Hope Community Cancer Center, here in Marmora. \u201cAll I did was cry non-stop and Dr. Childs and her entire staff were completely supportive and comforting. They were very professional in terms of answering all of my questions and discussing my treatment plan and telling me what to expect, but beyond that, you felt like somebody was wrapping their arms around you and like you were the only patient they had, because they’re caring was just so unbelievable,\u201d she says.After reviewing Ms. Pantellas\u2019 records, examining her, and conducting additional assessments, Dr. Childs worked in consultation with a gynecologic oncologist to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan. Ms. Pantellas went to the hospital each week to drain the fluid \u2013 called ascites in medical terminology \u2013 that would build up as a result of the cancer cells irritating the lining of her abdominal cavity. In addition, she started a chemotherapy\u00a0regimen, going to Dr. Childs\u2019 office at RCCA\u2019s Marmora, NJ, location\u00a0to receive regular infusions via a port inserted through the skin of her chest.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cPeople facing cancer deserve excellent medical care, but they also need \u2013 and deserve \u2013 support and a sense of hope that reflects both the reality of their particular medical situation and the incredible advances in treatment that have transformed cancer care in the last decade or so. I just hope that Ms. Pantellas and our other patients realize how much they inspire us with their strength and courage.\u201d \u2013 Julianne W. Childs, DO\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u201cDr. Childs and her staff told me beforehand about the good and the bad of chemotherapy and let me know what to expect. I ended up losing all of my hair for a period. They said this would happen, but it was still traumatic. But when that happened, or when other side effects that they had told me about happened, they were always there, being supportive and offering practical suggestions. It wasn\u2019t just Dr. Childs; it was all of the nurses and other people who work with her. I want to name all of them, but I am afraid I\u2019ll forget someone.\u201dMs. Pantellas continues, \u201cBeyond being very nurturing to me, they were very kind to my husband, who accompanied me to every doctor’s appointment and every chemo session. \u201cIf anybody ever said to me, \u2018What kind of care did you receive at this office?,\u2019 the only thing I can say is that five stars is not enough because it was just unbelievable care, and because of that care, I’m doing OK now.\u201dAfter several chemotherapy sessions, Ms. Pantellas was able to switch to an oral medication, known as a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase \u2013 or PARP \u2013 inhibitor. PARP is a protein that enables cancer cells to survive and grow by repairing functional problems with their DNA. PARP inhibitors prevent the protein from accomplishing those DNA repairs, causing the cancer cells to die. Ovarian cancer patients who have a BRCA\u00a0gene mutation or another genetic condition called homologous recombination deficiency may be candidates for the PARP inhibitor that Ms. Pantellas is taking, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies that such patients should receive the medication only after responding to chemotherapy.\u201cSo now I\u2019m in remission, and they\u2019re even reducing the dose of the medication I take. I wouldn\u2019t say that I\u2019m 100%, but I\u2019m much better. I had lost a tremendous amount of weight, and I\u2019m not a big person to begin with, but I\u2019ve gained back much of the weight now,\u201d Ms. Pantellas says, continuing, \u201cIn those moments when you’re by yourself, you’re thinking, \u2018Am I really going to be OK?\u2019 but then I think of the support I have received, of the great care I have received, and it gives me cause to be encouraged.\u201d She adds, \u201cDr. Childs is the only doctor who has ever given me her phone number and said, \u2018If you’re not feeling well over the weekend or have questions, call me.\u2019 And she calls you back, not someone on her staff!\u201dNew Cancer and Compassionate Support Offer HopeJulianne W. Childs, DO, Ms. Pantellas\u2019 medical oncologist, says, \u201cPeople facing cancer deserve excellent medical care, but they also need \u2013 and deserve \u2013 support and a sense of hope that reflects both the reality of their particular medical situation and the incredible advances in treatment that have transformed cancer care in the last decade or so. PARP inhibitors and other targeted therapies\u00a0that act against specific genetic mutations or cancer processes, immunotherapies, enhanced chemotherapy regimens, protocols for managing chemotherapy side effects, and other innovations enable us to offer patients so much more \u2013 in terms of both care and hope \u2013 than we could when I began practicing medicine. I am delighted that we can provide patients like Ms. Pantellas effective treatments, expanded options, and greater reason for optimism. I just hope that she and our other patients realize how much they inspire us with their strength and courage.\u201dKnowing Yourself, and Advocating for YourselfWhile praising Dr. Childs and the other healthcare professionals treating her, Ms. Pantellas stresses that people bear the first \u2013 and ultimate \u2013 responsibility for their own health. \u201cYou have to know your own body, and you have to be proactive. If you\u2019re experiencing something unusual, don\u2019t just say, \u2018It will go away.\u2019 There are things that won’t go away and that, if untreated, can become very serious problems. I don’t think I would be standing here right now if I did not go to the doctor when I did. I have a wonderful family and I’ve been totally blessed, and I am so grateful for the care I have received, but I am also grateful that I recognized that something was off and that I gave myself a chance to keep living.\u201d \u00a0++++++++++Dr. Childs is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist who has practiced at Hope Community Cancer Center in Cape May Court House\u00a0and Marmora, NJ, for more than 20 years. After receiving her medical degree from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, MO, Dr. Childs completed her internal medicine residency and hematology\/oncology fellowship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Along with her Hope Community Cancer Center colleagues Kaleem Ahmad, MD; Hemang Dave, MD; and Fatima Fayyaz, MD; Dr. Childs is among 100+ medical oncologists and hematologists\u00a0who practice with Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), one of the nation\u2019s largest networks of oncology specialists. RCCA has more than 20\u00a0locations near you\u00a0across New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C.,\u00a0area. RCCA\u2019s cancer specialists see more than 30,000 new patients each year and provide care to more than 265,000 established patients, collaborating closely with those patients\u2019 other physicians. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies\u00a0and targeted therapy, as well as access to approximately 300\u00a0clinical trials. In addition to serving patients who have solid tumors, blood-based cancers, and benign blood disorders, RCCA care centers also provide\u00a0infusion services to people with a number of non-oncologic conditions\u2014including\u00a0multiple sclerosis,\u00a0Crohn\u2019s disease,\u00a0asthma, iron-deficiency anemia, and\u00a0rheumatoid arthritis\u2014who take intravenously-administered medications.To learn more about RCCA, call 844-346-7222 or contact RCCA.Know the Early Signs of Ovarian CancerThe American Cancer Society estimates that 20,890 women across the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year.1\u00a0Unfortunately, only about 20% of new cases are detected at an early stage,2\u00a0when the cancer can be treated most effectively. Experts say that two factors make early diagnosis challenging. First, there is not a highly effective means to screen for ovarian cancer in the way that, for example, colonoscopy can help identify colorectal cancer. Physicians can perform transvaginal ultrasound to evaluate the ovaries when there is a concern, but the imaging cannot determine if an unusual mass is cancerous. Most suspicious masses found on ultrasound prove to be benign when a follow-up biopsy is performed.2\u00a0Similarly, oncologists can track changes in blood levels of a protein called CA-125 to monitor how women already diagnosed\u00a0with ovarian cancer are responding to treatment, but the blood test has not proven useful as a screening measure to identify possible ovarian cancer.2\u00a0The second obstacle to early diagnosis is that the symptoms of ovarian cancer\u00a0are conditions that many women experience from time to time and that most often are due to other, less-serious causes. The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer include:BloatingPelvic or abdominal (belly) painTrouble eating or feeling full quicklyUrinary symptoms such as urgency (always feeling like you have to go) or frequency (having to go often)3Other, less-common symptoms include:FatigueUpset stomachBack painPain during sexConstipationMenstrual changes, such as heavier bleeding than normal or irregular bleedingAbdominal (belly) swelling with weight loss3While having one or more of those symptoms is not cause for panic, it is a reason to see your primary care physician, gynecologist, or other healthcare provider for evaluation. Prompt attention to one or more of those symptoms is particularly important if you have not experienced them previously, if they are severe, or if they are increasing in frequency or severity.In addition to seeing your doctor when concerning symptoms occur, having regular check-ups with your primary care provider or gynecologist also is essential for maintaining overall health and enabling early identification and assessment of potential signs of cancer or other serious conditions.References:American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2025.American Cancer Society. Can ovarian cancer be found early? Available at https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/ovarian-cancer\/detection-diagnosis-staging\/detection.html. Accessed April 8, 2025.American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Available at https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/ovarian-cancer\/detection-diagnosis-staging\/signs-and-symptoms.html. Accessed April 8, 2025.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twe are here for you\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the\u00a0RCCA location\u00a0nearest you.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trequest an appointment\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRELATED ARTICLES\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeciding Where to Receive Cancer Care: RCCA Oncologists Outline Key 5 Considerations\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cMy uncle\u2019s neighbor was diagnosed with the exact same cancer, I think, last year and his specialist has been wonderful. I\u2019m going to get you\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen You Diagnose (or Suspect) Cancer: 3 Reasons to Refer Your Patients to RCCA\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cWhat happens next?\u201d \u201cWhere should I go for treatment?\u201d They are questions physicians often hear after informing a patient that they have identified confirmed or\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Blood Work\u2019 and Cancer Detection: 2 RCCA Oncologists Explain What Doctors Look for in Your CBC\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cYou\u2019re going to feel a little pinch.\u201d Each year, tens of millions of Americans hear that phrase, or words to the same effect, just before\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Life-Saving Advice from Ovarian Cancer Survivor and Hope Community Cancer Center Patient Elaine Pantellas","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/life-saving-advice-from-ovarian-cancer-survivor-and-hope-community-cancer-center-patient-elaine-pantellas\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]