Ovarian cancer survivor Jaqueline Dixon talks of beating ‘the beast’

As she prepares for an annual ovarian cancer awareness walk, 48-year-old survivor Jacqueline Dixon says she has a new appreciation for life. "I beat the beast," she says. The beast is what she describes

News 12 Staff

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Sep 7, 2014, 2:20 AM

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Updated 3,844 days ago

As she prepares for an annual ovarian cancer awareness walk, 48-year-old survivor Jacqueline Dixon says she has a new appreciation for life.

"I beat the beast," she says.

The beast is what she describes as a silent killer which she fell victim to in 2007 when she felt discomfort in her side.

After insisting to her doctor that something was wrong, Dixon had an internal sonogram that showed a cyst on her ovary, according to her daughter, Natasha Dixon.

During the surgery to remove it, her doctor realized it was stage one ovarian cancer and Dixon had a full hysterectomy.

She says the doctor told her that if she had not been so persistent and if she had not paid such close attention to her body's symptoms the cancer could have quickly spread.

Doctors say ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose, but there are ways a woman can reduce the risk. Having children, breast feeding or even taking birth control pills can help.