Monarch butterflies inspire women to fight cancer

Monarch butterflies inspire women to fight cancer

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Given the opportunity, watching earthbound caterpillars emerge from cocoons as beautiful butterflies and take flight into the skies can be a captivating experience. The metamorphosis of something so fragile into something so beautiful is amazing and inspiring.

Dr. Karen Zempolich believes this metamorphosis is much like a woman's journey through cancer. She is one of only seven gynecologic oncologists in Utah who are specially trained to treat women for gynecologic cancers. Dr. Zempolich provides comprehensive care at Monarch Women's Cancer Center and St. Mark's Hospital.

"Women who have cancer are very much like a butterfly; they start out vulnerable and worried about whether they are going to survive the journey," says Zempolich. "In this way, they are cocoon-like – emotionally and physically."

The women in her care have often spoken about turning inward, protectively, when diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer and during initial treatment. The normal pattern of their lives is suspended as they focus time and energy on fighting the cancer. Their bodies undergo changes as they respond to treatment and grow stronger. Ultimately, many of them jubilantly emerge, cancer-free and ready to soar on new wings of hope.

Zempolich explains that gynecologic cancer can strike women at any time between early adolescence to their late 90s. It occurs in the pelvic region and includes cervical, endometrial (uterine), ovarian, vaginal and vulvar cancers. It is very important that women diagnosed with one of these cancers receive treatment from a specially trained gynecologic oncologist. Otherwise, their futures could be compromised in ways that they do not even realize.

When it comes to treating ovarian cancer, gynecologic oncologists are better able to maximize survival through the right surgical approach combined with chemotherapy. Their expertise can increase a woman's survival by 75 percent and extend her life well past the average of less than two years.

A diagnosis of a gynecologic cancer can be particularly devastating for young women who are planning to have children. Dr. Zempolich balances fertility desires and treatment options to maintain the highest chance at long-term survival. For women with uterine cancer, non-surgical treatments often help to avoid a hysterectomy. Some fertility-sparing treatments include egg harvesting for women who need to have organs removed or preserve hormone and egg production in women with ovarian masses.

"The right care might be quite different from one woman to the next," says Zempolich. "We identify the optimal treatment approach for each patient at her stage in life and talk about her long-term goals. Then, we put together in an individualized plan of care."

She believes that it helps women who are undergoing treatment for gynecologic cancer to compare their experience with the strenuous journey and survival of a particular butterfly. Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico every year. According to the U.S. Forest Services, some travel as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter destination, even though they have never been to that country before.

Monarch butterflies inspire women to fight cancer

This incredible journey inspired Zempolich to name her practice the Monarch Women's Cancer Center. "I feel the name really captures what we do when we help a woman; not only to treat their cancer, but live through it and move on," Zempolich explains. "We work to fight the cancer together, with the vision that they will emerge as the strong, beautiful butterfly they have within them all along."

When a new patient enters the center to begin her personal journey, she will be greeted by a wall of butterflies. Each one features an intimate message written by a woman who has been cancer-free for five years, to inspire others on their journey. This milestone signifies the unlikelihood that the cancer will return. Every whimsical butterfly gives other women hope during their treatment for the same outcome. That is why "Strive. Survive. Thrive." is the Monarch Women's Cancer Center's motto.

"When my new patients hear what our wall is all about, I often see them make a decision," says Zempolich. "They feel like a cocooned caterpillar at that moment, but they choose to be like the butterflies and the women they represent – all of them are survivors."

Dr. Zempolich's butterfly wall, courtesy of MountainStar Healthcare
Dr. Zempolich's butterfly wall, courtesy of MountainStar Healthcare

She continues, "Much like the Monarch butterflies that travel in large groups to stay warm, I try to inspire my patients and let them know that they are not making this journey alone. We are with them, their families are with them, and the other women are with them too."

As the monarch butterflies end their long and uncertain 3,000-mile journey to Mexico for the winter, it's the perfect time of year to learn about preventing and treating gynecologic cancers – and sharing that information with the women in your life.

Make sure to check out these websites:

Monarch Women's Cancer Center

CDC Gynecologic Cancer

Foundation for Women's Cancer

Cancer Care for Women

Cancer.org Resources

FightingChance.org

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