Jessica Gilbert, a 42-year-old mother of two from the Cincinnati area, is bravely sharing her personal battle with ovarian cancer. Gilbert’s diagnosis came in January 2025. Her story illustrates a disease that affects an estimated 243,000 U.S. women as of 2022 report. An estimated 21,950 new diagnoses this year. Her story is a reminder to us all of the importance of awareness and early detection.
Gilbert first dismissed her symptoms as a sinus infection. “I woke up with a fever, and I thought it was a sinus infection because I had a stuffy head all week,” she recalled. But then her symptoms started to shift to flu-like feelings and the development of potential low iron symptoms. With vague, non-specific symptoms it is all too easy to delay or miss a diagnosis. Once ovarian cancer is diagnosed, it is typically found at an advanced stage of disease.
Additionally, the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be mild and nonspecific, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic or abdominal pain, and bloating. For countless women, knowing the signs of this disease are difficult, leading to the disease’s often fatal outcomes. The average five-year survival rate for those as an ovarian cancer patient is about 51%. By 2025, more than 12,000 Americans are predicted to die from this disease each year.
Gilbert’s diagnosis led her to pursue chemotherapy and surgery through multiple cycles. Now, she is on maintenance therapy—targeted medicines that attack the disease directly—at UC Medical Center in Ohio. Most important to Michelle has been her gynecologist-oncologist, Dr. Caroline Billingsley, who has played a key role in walking her through treatment and recovery.
Gilbert is documenting her journey to help raise awareness about ovarian cancer. She is undertaking this in the month of September which is known as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. “I just try to be in the present and just enjoy life,” she stated, demonstrating her resilience in the face of adversity. Gilbert’s passion now is to raise awareness that early detection of symptoms matters and that you have to be your own health advocate.
She reiterated the importance of women making their health a priority, while continuing to participate in life’s beautiful experiences. “Take care of yourself, but get out there and still live your life,” she advised. Gilbert’s challenges were many, but she was committed to not missing her daughter’s upcoming dance recital. Even during her own chemotherapy treatments, she donned a mask to advocate. “I missed out on some things but I still was at my daughter’s dance recital during chemo with my mask on, so I could be there for her,” she reflected.
Gilbert’s story isn’t just his own—it’s the reality for countless families who are engaged in the same fight. “I don’t want this for my daughter or for my mom. I don’t want this for anybody else,” she expressed passionately. Her commitment to advocacy underlines the urgent need for more awareness of ovarian cancer. This is why it’s so important to know the symptoms and how urgent the need is for medical assistance.
Ovarian cancer continues to be a major health concern for women throughout the country. Amplifying awareness will help this disease be detected sooner, resulting in better outcomes for those impacted by this disease. Gilbert’s bravery in opening up about her struggle will undoubtedly encourage others who are facing the same health crisis.
