The symptoms are so vague you might be tempted to ignore them: Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort. Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion. Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection. Unexplained weight gain or weight loss. Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness. Ongoing unusual fatigue. Unexplained changes in bowel habits.

These are the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and Judy Childress is looking for survivors. The note she sent me this weekend told of her sister, diagnosed in Nov. 2005, and Judy's efforts to revive the local chapter of the Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

"Did you know that there is a connection between breast cancer and ovarian cancer? I didn't know. I had never seen anything on the symptoms of ovarian cancer (my sister had all of the symptoms).