Exercise for Cancer Survivors Without an Omentum

By Meg Wilkinson

The omentum? Most people I speak with about the omentum have never heard of this organ surrounding the stomach and other abdominal organs. My omentum was removed during ovarian cancer staging surgery five years ago. The challenges of living “omentum-less” are not widely known or discussed, but I have found that exercise can be a crucial part of managing the impacts.

The omentum has been referred to as the “quirkiest” organ in the body and the “policeman” of the abdomen. It is part of the immune system and also part of the lymphatic system. As part of the immune system, it has an ability to collect cancer cells. Hence, it is standard protocol to remove the organ during ovarian cancer staging surgery, and sometimes with other cancer surgeries – especially uterine, colon and appendix. Most cancer survivors need to check their surgical report to find out if the omentum was removed.

The omentum role as part of the lymphatic system is why exercise may play a key role in helping omentum-less cancer survivors. The lymphatic system, unlike the circulatory system, is an open system with no pump. Lymph fluid moves through the body by gravity, muscle contractions and diaphragmatic breathing. As Jillian Mertzlufft, a certified personal trainer explained to me, “Exercise promotes the movement of lymph fluid via the contractions of the muscles and the deep, diaphragmatic breathing. The best thing someone can do is move frequently and in a variety of ways.”

I have learned how important exercise is for me in my new life living without an omentum. Aerobic exercise, and exercises that leverage gravity such as yoga and Pilates, have been helpful for managing the adverse effects. And aquatic exercise, which leverages water pressure, has been especially helpful for me.

Together with a small team of dedicated volunteers from several different professions including a physical therapist, a holistic health/healing coach and personal trainers, a free educational workshop will be offered via webinar on Saturday, May 30. This is a wonderful opportunity for cancer survivors living without an omentum to learn about: a) its role in human physiology, b) strategies such as exercise to help the body manage without it, and c) connecting with other cancer survivors.

If you or someone you know has experienced ovarian, uterine, colon or appendix cancer, and are now living without an omentum, then please join us for this special free online workshop, “Together We Can Learn About Living Without an Omentum.” Learn more and register at theomentumproject.org.

Meg Wilkinson (theomentumproject@gmail.com) of Rexford is an ovarian cancer survivor and advocate. She’s the founder of The Omentum Project.