Know the Whispers: In Memory of Andrea Gibson, and for Every Voice Lost Too Soon

In the wake of Andrea Gibson’s passing, our hearts are heavy.

Andrea’s poetry gave language to things most of us struggle to name: grief, gender, chronic illness, hope, and the quiet brilliance of simply being alive. They taught us to lean into our pain, to speak even when our voice shook, and to fight for truth with tenderness.

Today, in their memory, we want to speak about something that doesn’t always get the microphone it deserves: ovarian cancer.

Often referred to as the “silent killer,” ovarian cancer rarely makes a dramatic entrance. It doesn’t always announce itself loudly. But it does speak, just in whispers. And if we don’t listen, it can be devastating.

Did you know?

• Most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at Stage III or IV.
  By the time it’s found, it has often already spread beyond the ovaries, making it significantly harder to treat. Early detection can be lifesaving.
• There is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer in people of average risk.
  Unlike breast, cervical, or colon cancer, there’s no standard blood test or imaging study done regularly for ovarian cancer. A Pap smear does not detect it. And pelvic exams often miss it.
• The early signs are subtle but real.
  Too often, they’re written off as normal digestive or menstrual changes. But persistent symptoms can be red flags:
  • Ongoing bloating
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain
  • Feeling full quickly, even after small meals
  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate
  If these symptoms are new, frequent, and last for more than a few weeks, don’t brush them aside. Talk to your doctor. Push for answers.

Family history matters.

If you have close relatives who’ve had ovarian, breast, or even prostate cancer, it’s worth learning your risk. Mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes significantly increase the chance of developing ovarian cancer, often at a younger age. Genetic counseling and testing can offer clarity and for those who carry these mutations, early and proactive steps (including increased surveillance, medications, or preventive surgeries) can be life-saving.

There is hope on the horizon.

New blood-based tests are emerging that can help detect cancers earlier than ever before, often before symptoms even begin. These technologies represent a turning point in how we think about early detection.

We believe that one day, no one will have to lose their life because their cancer was found too late. But until that day comes, awareness is our strongest ally.

This is a quiet cancer. It doesn’t always shout.

But we can.

We can talk about it with our friends.
We can ask questions, even uncomfortable ones.
We can know our history, listen to our bodies, and take persistent symptoms seriously.

We can refuse to let silence win. We dedicate this post to Andrea Gibson and to every life, every whisper, every story that deserves to be heard.

#OvarianCancerAwareness #KnowTheWhispers #InMemoryOfAndreaGibson