Joan McAree's greatest concern at her annual gynecologic checkup in 1997 was whether she (left) and her identical twin, Jean Christ (right), could train hard enough to win their next 10K race.

During the exam, McAree's doctor noticed an enlarged ovary and ordered an ultrasound test since McAree had also complained of indigestion, bloating, and fatigue. The test revealed early stage ovarian cancer. Five months after undergoing a complete hysterectomy to remove the tumor, an annual mammogram revealed breast cancer. Thankfully, the breast cancer was also found at an early, highly survivable stage. McAree underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy.

Today, McAree, of Seattle, is in good health, and she and her sister continue to share a passion for mid-distance running as well as mountain climbing; they've summited Mount Rainier twice. They also share an awareness that Christ also might face a battle with either or both cancers.

"While my first concern was for Joan, of course I knew from the beginning that as identical twins, we share the same genes and I could be at high risk myself," said Christ.

But if Christ does develop ovarian cancer, hers may be found far earlier than her sister's had been — possibly long before the first symptom emerges. That's because she participates in an early detection study led by the Hutchinson Center and the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research. The Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Study measures blood levels of a protein produced by the ovaries called CA 125. By looking for subtle shifts in the levels of this protein in Christ's blood, researchers hope to detect the earliest signs of ovarian cancer, should it ever develop.

"When Joan was diagnosed, my strongest feeling was, what could I do to help?" Christ said. "Participating in this study helps me feel that I'm contributing to research that may not only help me but could help others. It's the only way questions will be answered."

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