Woman loses best friend to ovarian cancer, then receives same devastating diagnosis months later
Ultimately, Drexler decided on targeted radiation, with chemotherapy as a backup option if radiation did not work or if there was another recurrence. After radiation was completed in January 2021, Drexler was again considered to have “no evidence of disease” (NED).
“I then began taking Lynparza, a PARP inhibitor maintenance treatment – something that was not even available for ovarian cancer patients when Connie was dealing with her cancer,” she said.
From January 2021 until February 2026, while taking Lynparza, Drexler remained in NED status – “although there was always the concern in the back of my mind about when I would recur again.”
VISION PROBLEM LEADS TO MAN’S STAGE 4 LUNG CANCER DIAGNOSIS, NEW DRUG EXTENDS SURVIVAL
In winter 2025, after experiencing gastric symptoms, Drexler underwent a PET scan. The scan revealed a tumor around her small intestine that had grown large enough to require surgery.
“Once the tumor was removed, it was confirmed to be a recurrence of my ovarian cancer,” she said. “After recovering from surgery, I had another PET scan, which indicated a couple of spots were still present.”
Becky Drexler (center) is pictured with other survivors presenting to medical students at Mayo Clinic in 2025. (Becky Drexler)
In May 2026, Drexler began an 18-week treatment cycle including carboplatin, taxol and avastin, which is expected to be completed at the end of September.
“I had a PET scan halfway through (late July), which indicated the treatment is working,” she shared. “We were happy to learn that the spots were no longer visible and no new spots had appeared.”
FDA APPROVES ONCE-DAILY PILL FOR DEADLY CANCER AFTER PATIENTS’ SURVIVAL RATES NEARLY DOUBLE
Depending on the results of her next PET scan, Drexler said her next treatment will likely be an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) maintenance plan, a recently-approved targeted cancer therapy that has shown “exceptional results.”
Throughout her cancer journey, Drexler has continued volunteering with MOCA, serving on its board of directors, participating on committees and reviewing grants for ovarian cancer research.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“It does make me think back to when Connie was dealing with her cancer and the treatments that were not available to her but are now available for me and other women,” Drexler said.
“I believe I am still here because of the advancements in treatments. Developing a reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer remains one of the most critical research goals.”
Symptoms to watch for
Ovarian cancer was once known as the “silent killer,” meaning that women would get it and not know anything until the disease was in advanced, more aggressive stages, according to Brian M. Slomovitz, M.D., director of gynecologic oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida.
About 75% of women are diagnosed with stage 3 or stage 4 disease, according to the doctor.
Dahl, Drexler, Drexler’s husband and Dahl’s husband (left to right) are pictured at the Drexlers’ wedding in 2002. (Becky Drexler)
In recent years, researchers have identified that ovarian cancer actually does have symptoms, noted Slomovitz, who is also deputy director of the Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“The problem is they are sort of non-specific symptoms, things that could occur in everyday life – stomach pains, abdominal bloating, things like that.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“There may be an increase in abdominal girth, meaning patients complain that their pants are too tight or they’re noticing something different in the way their body’s shaped,” the doctor said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Those symptoms can also come with weight loss and decreased appetite, he noted: “They could oftentimes mimic gastroenteritis or eating a bad meal.”
Any symptoms that persist or worsen over a period of one or two weeks should be checked out, the doctor advised.
‘Advocate for yourself’
To other women who may be experiencing worrisome symptoms, Drexler urges them to listen to their bodies.
“The early symptoms both Connie and I had were vague, like they are for most women,” she said. “They seem like normal things that we can excuse away – we are aging, we are just stressed, we just need to eat better or lose weight.”
“If something isn’t feeling right or a seemingly minor issue persists, and you think you might be concerned, see your doctor. Advocate for yourself.”
“They seem like normal things that we can excuse away – we are aging, we are just stressed, we just need to eat better or lose weight.”
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/woman-loses-best-friend-ovarian-cancer-receives-same-devastating-diagnosis-months-later