Ovarian Cancer
More than 25,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. Unfortunately, for the majority of these patients, the cancer will have already spread beyond the ovaries. Because early symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague, it is important to find out now if you are at-risk for this deadly disease.
The fourth leading cause of cancer death in women, ovarian cancer typically does not present symptoms until it has spread significantly. In fact, 80% of ovarian cancers are detected during the later stages, leaving little hope for a cure. While there is no definitive screening test for diagnosing early ovarian cancer, a woman should undergo routine pelvic exams, sometimes supplemented by blood tests or ultrasound exams.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
In 2007, the American Cancer Society, along with the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, reached a consensus on possible early signs of ovarian cancer. Based on extensive research, these medical societies believed the early symptoms of ovarian cancer to include:
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Trouble eating or feeling full too quickly
- Frequent or urgent urination
Patients who are experiencing any of the above symptoms should see their gynecologist if these symptoms are new, severe and have lasted for more than two weeks.
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
Doctors are still unsure about what causes ovarian cancer. However, they have established a group of risk factors that increases a woman's chance of developing the disease. Some risk factors for developing ovarian cancer include:
- A family history of certain cancers: Women who have one or more relatives with ovarian cancer are more likely to develop the disease. Specific genes, including the BRCA 1 and 2 genes, are inherited and can increase a woman's chance of developing ovarian cancer. In addition, a family history of breast or colon cancer can also increase a woman's chances of developing ovarian cancer.
- Age: Women over the age of 50 have a greater chance of developing ovarian cancer than younger women. This ovarian cancer risk becomes even greater when a woman turns 60.
- Childbearing: Women who have never given birth are at a higher risk for developing ovarian cancer than those who have had a baby.
- Menstruation: Women who began menstruating before age 12 or experienced menopause after 50 have a greater risk of getting ovarian cancer.
- Certain medicines: Women who took fertility drugs or received hormone therapy after menopause have a slighter higher chance of getting ovarian cancer. On the contrary, women who took birth control pills have a decreased chance of developing the disease.
- Obesity: Women who are overweight have a greater chance of dying from ovarian cancer than women of a healthy weight.
Overall, the lifetime risk for developing ovarian cancer is less than 2%. However, if you are at-risk for the disease, speak to your doctor about cancer screening tests that can help detect the disease.
