 What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer, as the name implies, begins in the
ovaries. There are two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus in the pelvis.
The ovaries produce eggs (called ova). They are also the main source of a
woman's female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
How Many Women are Affected?
- Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women (not counting skin
cancer).
- It ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death in women.
- It is estimated that there will be about 20,180 new cases (incidence) of
ovarian cancer in the U.S. this year.
- It is slightly more common in white women than African-American women.
- The risk of getting this cancer and dying from it is 1 in 95.
Risk Factors
There is no known cause for Ovarian Cancer. There
are some factors that increase a woman's chance of developing the most common
type of ovarian cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer. These include:
Age: Most ovarian cancers happen after change of
life (menopause). Half of all these cancers are found in women over the age of
63.
Menstrual periods: Women who started having periods
early (before 12 years of age) or who went through the change of life
(menopause) after the age of 50 have a small increased risk of ovarian cancer.
The same is true for women who have not had children, or had their first child
after they were 30 years old.
Family history: Ovarian cancer risk is higher among
women whose close blood relatives (mother, sister, daughter) have (or had) this
disease. The relatives can be from either the mother's or father's side of the
family. There is a higher risk if ovarian cancer happened at an early age.
Some studies have also mentioned the following as
increasing the risk for ovarian cancer:
- Breast cancer
- Talcum powder
- Infertility and the use of clomiphene citrate (a fertility drug also known
as Clomid)
- Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)
- Smoking and alcohol use
Symptoms
Symptoms associated
with ovarian cancer can be very vague and resemble
other illnesses.
Symptoms might include:
- swelling of the stomach (abdomen) from a buildup of fluid
- unusual vaginal bleeding
- pelvic pressure
- back or leg pain
- GI problems such as gas, bloating,
long-term stomach pain, constipation, or indigestion
These symptoms can
be caused by something else but it is better to
make an appointment to rule out ovarian cancer.
The vagueness of the symptoms also reiterates
the importance of paying close attention to
your body and your overall health. No matter
how insignificant you think the symptoms might
be, address them with your doctor.
Diagnosis
If you have any
of the symptoms above, report them to your
doctor right away. If ovarian cancer is suspected,
your doctor will order the appropriate tests
for confirmation.
One test that
you might have heard of is the CA-125 blood
test. CA-125 is a blood test. CA-125 is a
blood protein that is higher than normal
is women with ovarian cancer. This test,
along with imaging studies such as an MRI,
ultrasound or CT scans (computed tomography)
can help Your doctor will then
About 20 percent
of ovarian cancers are found at an early
stage which improves upon successful treatment.
90 percent of
women treated for early ovarian cancer will
live longer than 5 years after the cancer
is found. Unfortunately, there is no reliable
test for finding this cancer early, but several
large studies are in progress to learn how
best to find ovarian cancer in its earliest stage.
Treatment
The main treatments
for ovarian cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, and
radiation therapy. In some cases 2 or even all
3 of these treatments will be used.
What can you do?
Ask your physician for
referrals to low-cost or free screening programs.
Enlist a friend or
relative and the two of you can serve as reminders
to one another to make and keep annual
screening appointments.
Share this website with
the women in your life. It gives an update on
gynecological cancers, including ovarian cancer.
http://www.thegcf.org/State_of
_Gynecologic_Cancers_2005.pdf
For more information visit:
Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry
Toll-free number: 1-800-OVARIAN (1-800-682-7426)
Internet Address: www.ovariancancer.com
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
Telephone: 1-800-444-4441
Internet Address: www.thegcf.org
National Cancer Institute
Telephone 1-800-4-CANCER
Internet Addresses: www.cancer.gov
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Telephone: 1-888-682-7426 (1-888-OVARIAN)
Internet Address: www.ovarian.org
Office of Women's Health
Telephone: 1-800-994-WOMAN
Internet Address: www.4woman.gov
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
Telephone: 202-331-1332
Internet Address: www.ovariancancer.org
Remember, annual check-ups can SAVE YOUR LIFE! Schedule yours today!
Until next time,
Good Health and Peace of Jesus, Letitia
Source: The American Cancer Society
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