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Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is often called the "silent" killer because many times
there are no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced
stage. One-third of American women will get some form of cancer in their
lifetime and approximately one and one half percent of those cases will
be cancer involving one or both ovaries.
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer are often mild, making this disease
difficult to detect. Some early symptoms may include:
* An unusual feeling of fullness or discomfort in the pelvic region
* Unexplainable indigestion, gas, or bloating that is not relieved with
over-the-counter antacids
* Pain during sexual intercourse
* Abnormal bleeding
* Swelling and pain of the abdomen
Most often these symptoms do not indicate ovarian cancer. However, if
you experience them you should discuss them with your clinician.
Early detection of ovarian cancer offers a 90% cure rate. Sadly, a lack
of symptoms from this silent disease means that about 75% of ovarian
cancer cases will have spread to the abdomen by the time they are
detected and, unfortunately, most patients die within five years.
Diagnosis...
Symptomless ovarian cancer is most often detected during a woman's
regular gynecological examination. Your physician will palpitate your
ovaries during your pelvic and rectal exam for the presence of ovarian
cysts or fibroid tumors. If any abnormalities are noted, he will follow
up with further testing which may include an ultrasound and chest X-ray.
If further testing is required, a laparoscopy may be performed.
New methods for early screening of ovarian cancer are being investigated
including ultrasound in conjunction with a blood test. The blood test
may detect an antigen called CA 125 which has been detected in the blood
of women with ovarian cancer.
These tests are useful in evaluating tumor growth, however neither of
them has been proven as a reliable way to screen for ovarian cancer.
Ultrasound can detect changes, but it does not give enough information
alone to diagnose ovarian cancer. The CA 125 blood test can return
positive results when no cancer is present due to other conditions a
woman may experience including fibroid tumors, endometriosis, pelvic
infection, pregnancy, or other non-gynecological problems.
Although these methods of screening for ovarian cancer look promising,
further study is needed before either of these tests are routinely used
to screen for ovarian cancer.
The treatment for ovarian cancer varies according to a number of
factors. For most women, the first treatment is also a diagnostic
procedure which involves surgery to determine the extent to which the
disease has spread. As a result of surgery, the cancer will be staged.
Stages range from I to IV, with I being the earliest and IV being the
most advanced stage. Treatment of ovarian cancer is based on the stage
and grade of the disease. A pathologist will determine the grade (how
likely it is to spread) of the malignancy.
Hysterectomy with salpingo- oophorectomy (removal the fallopian tubes
and one or both ovaries) will most often follow a diagnosis of ovarian
cancer. Young women who still desire children and who have certain types
of early ovarian cancer confined to one ovary may be able to have only
the diseased ovary removed.
Chemotherapy or radiation will follow the hysterectomy based on
individual cases.
Are You at Risk?
* An immediate (mother, sister, or daughter) family member who has had
ovarian cancer increases your risk of developing this disease about
three times, giving you a 5% to 7% risk of future ovarian cancer.
* When the cause is genetic, ovarian cancer usually shows up a decade
earlier in each successive generation. (If your mother had ovarian
cancer in her 60s, you stand a good chance that this disease will
develop in you in your 50s.)
* Genetic counseling is a good idea for women with a family history of
breast or ovarian cancers. Women with a family history may opt for
oophorectomy, although this procedure does not offer absolute protection
it does reduce risk by 75% to 90%
* Research has determined that women who use powders to dust their
genital areas have a 60% higher risk of ovarian cancer. Feminine
deodorant sprays can almost double your risk.
* Women who use oral contraceptives for at least five years reduce their
chance of developing ovarian cancer by half for the short-term following
use and possibly for lifetime. The longer you use the pill, the lower
your risk.
* Having two or three children can cut your risk by as much as 30% over
women who never conceive or give birth. Having five or more children
reduces the risk up to 50%, and breastfeeding your children can further
reduce your risk.
* Tubal ligation reduces a woman's risk up to 70%.
Remember, the best way to detect ovarian cancer is by regular pelvic
examinations. See your gynecologist for a Pap smear (screens for
cervical cancer only) and pelvic/rectal exam yearly or as your physician
determines best for you.
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