Susan Evans

CRANBERRY TWP — In 2012 Susan Evans had a swollen ankle that would not heal.

After six months of doctor visits and no answers, she finally was given a devastating diagnosis: doctors told her she had stage 3A ovarian cancer, and there was a 25-pound tumor in her.

The idea was not only shocking; it seemed impossible.

“A 25-pound tumor, that’s the size of a Thanksgiving turkey, or my Sheltie, or a sack of flour that could make 50 pizzas,” she wrote in her book published in 2014.

MistakenShe was right. It turned out the doctor was mistaken, and her tumor actually weighed 2.5 pounds, though the diagnosis was still a serious one.She had successful surgery, went through chemotherapy and has now been in remission for nearly four years.A native of Pittsburgh, Evans and her husband, George, were longtime residents of Bradford, where she was a high school English teacher for 32 years. About 10 years ago they bought a condo in Cranberry Township where they now live most of the time.Despite Evans’ experience, ovarian cancer has one of the worst survival rates.

1 in 4Ovarian cancer kills an estimated 14,000 women each year in the United States. One of four women diagnosed die within the first year.One problem doctors face is that there is no sure way to screen for the cancer, meaning most patients aren’t diagnosed until it has already advanced to stage 3 or 4.To help combat this problem, Evans, her husband and her doctor, Thomas Krivak, started the Evans-Krivak Gynecological Cancer Research and Education Fund in 2014.Donations to the fund are collected through the Pittsburgh Foundation.To date, the fund has collected $105,000, all of which goes to Krivak and other doctors for ovarian cancer research or education.Evans and Krivak co-wrote a book about her experience, “Don’t Write My Obituary Yet.” All of the proceeds from sale of the book go to her cancer fund.She said Krivak will not declare Evans is cancer free yet, but she has been in remission with no symptoms for about four years now.Since the book was released, Evans has spoken to more than 50 Rotary clubs and other civic groups. The point of her talks is to share her story — using humor — and spread awareness about the disease and the need for research.She says she tells fellow cancer patients to remain hopeful.“I want them to truly believe that it is not a death sentence. In today’s world there have been so many advancements in medical science,” she said.

‘Its awful’“No, it’s not going to pleasant. No, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. And, yes, it’s awful. However, if the end results are worth it, then it is worth doing,” she said.She said she believes people are kind at heart, something evidenced through anecdotes in the book.Despite recovering from surgery and going through treatments in 2012, Evans was determined not to miss the Pittsburgh Steelers’ home opener.Longtime season ticket holders, she and her husband made it to the game where many people noticed her hair loss and offered kind words.After telling an usher “we’ve had these seats for 10 years,” she remembers him answering back “‘and we hope you are with us for 10 more years.’”Ovarian cancer is one of the least talked about cancers and receives a small share of the charitable contributions for diseases each year, though Evans said she hopes to make an impact on both fronts.She hopes the medical community can make advances, especially in screening for and detecting the cancer earlier.Evans credits Krivak, a gynecologic oncology doctor, for saving her life.In the book’s foreword, Krivak writes Evans uses humor to help other people affected by cancer. She also pushes for patients to be more vocal.“Just as doctors raise questions to patients, Sue flips that around by very strongly advising patients to question their entire medical team,” he said.To make a donation or to learn more about the fund, visit www.pittsburghfoundation.org/node/27384. Her book is available at www.wordassociation.com.