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| PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE |
September is Ovarian Cancer Awarness Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness
The incidence of all types of cancer in women is 33%. Cancer of the ovary is a disease that affects one or both ovaries. One in seventy women will develop ovarian cancer. If cancer of the ovary is found and treated early, the cure rate is good. Patients whose cancer has not spread outside of the ovary have an 85-95% chance of living 5 years or longer after treatment.
Risk Factors
Women at any age can have cancer of the ovary, but the risk increases with age. It occurs most often in women between 50 and 75 years old. It is more common in white women. Women who have had several children are less likely to get ovarian cancer. Those who have used birth control pills or are now using them are also less likely to get it. The follow factors may add to your risk:
▪ Few or no children.
▪ Children born later in life.
▪ Prolonged use of fertility drugs.
▪ Family history of ovarian cancer.
It is possible, for a woman to have some or all of these risk factors and never develop ovarian cancer.
Symptoms
There are few symptoms of ovarian cancer. It is common to be asymptomatic in the early stage of the disease, which makes it more difficult to detect until it’s in an advanced stage. When there are symptoms, they may be mild and hard to detect. The warning signs are:
▪ Discomfort in the pelvic region.
▪ Indigestion, gas, and bloating that can’t be explained.
▪ Abnormal bleeding
▪ Pain and swelling of the abdomen.
While most women with these symptoms don’t have cancer, they should be discussed with their doctor.
Screening Methods
The best way to detect ovarian cancer at an early stage is by a pelvic and rectal exam. Other evaluation techniques include pelvic ultrasound and laparoscopy. A blood test for CA 125 may also be helpful, although there are other benign conditions which may cause an elevation in this blood test. For women who have a first degree relative who has had ovarian cancer, an annual pelvic ultrasound and a CA 125 blood test are recommended.
Treatment
Treatment of ovarian cancer involves surgery to remove the uterus, (hysterectomy) and the ovaries and fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy). Sometimes surrounding lymph nodes are also removed for analysis. The treatment may involve chemotherapy and/or radiation.
The key to fighting ovarian cancer is early detection. It is important to have regular checkups with your doctor.
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September is Ovarian Cancer Awarness Month
