Ten years later, when Donahue again developed persistent bloating and abdominal pain, the confusion was not so understandable.
"My gynecologist said, 'You should see a gastroenterologist,'" recalled Donahue, who lives in Kintnersville, Bucks County. "I said, 'No, I'm going to see a gynecological oncologist.' "
Surgery confirmed that the 34-year-old had cancer in her remaining ovary.
Now 40 and president of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Donahue and legions of sister survivors have been urging experts to stop calling the disease a "silent killer" and start raising awareness of its symptoms.
Their hard-earned wisdom is finally winning out.
Three prominent cancer organizations declared their consensus this month that ovarian cancer does have warning signs.
To be sure, these signs - bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly and urinary urgency or frequency - are common to many illnesses, and sometimes bother healthy people. But recent research shows these complaints start more suddenly and are more frequent, severe and persistent in those with ovarian cancer, even in the disease's early stages.
That's why the new recommendations say women who have any of these symptoms almost daily for several weeks should see a doctor.
"Early-stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis," notes the consensus statement from the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecological Oncologists and the American Cancer Society.
It remains to be seen whether more awareness will mean earlier detection - or just a stampede of worried women getting unnecessary tests and exploratory surgeries. Nor is it clear that diagnosing ovarian cancer on average three to six months sooner would improve survival rates.
One benefit, however, seems likely. Prompt diagnosis could reduce patients' frustration.
