5 Things Every Woman Should Know About Ovarian Cancer

If you are a woman of reproductive age who undergoes gynecological examinations on a regular basis, then you are probably familiar with common diagnostic tools and self-exams for cervical cancer and breast cancer. However, what you may be less familiar with is ovarian cancer, since there are no standard diagnostic tools. “Ovarian cancer is the most feared gynecologic cancer” says Teresa Diaz-Montes, MD, associate director of the Lya Segall Ovarian Cancer Institute at Mercy Medical Center. This cancer mainly develops in older women, ages 63 and above. It is also more common in Caucasian women than it is in African American women.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer that leads to deaths among women. According to 2017 findings from the American Cancer Society, more than 22,000 women in the United States will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and over 14,000 will die from ovarian cancer. A woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer throughout her lifetime is 1 in 75. For those women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, only around 15% of cases are uncovered at stage 1. Due to the fact that there are no effective screening tests and symptoms tend to be subtle, many women are diagnosed at an advanced stage – stage III or stage IV. “The majority of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer present with advanced disease. For these women, survival is less than 30% at 5 years” says Diaz-Montes.

Spotting the warning signs and being aware of risk factors can reduce your risk or help you detect the disease at an early stage. The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer include the following:

• Experiencing abdominal pain
• Feeling bloated
• Having difficulty eating
• Feeling full sooner than normal
• Having to urinate frequently or with sudden urgency

Other less common symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

• Experiencing back pain
• Being constipated
• Feeling tired
• Having an upset stomach
• Experiencing menstrual changes

Some cases of ovarian cancer are misdiagnosed as IBS or other bowel-related conditions.

Researchers have uncovered that there are several specific factors which can trigger your likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. While risk factors do not tell the whole story and do not necessarily mean that you will get the disease, the following risk factors may enhance your chances:

• Being of the age 63 or older
• Being overweight
• ever having given birth
• Using fertility drugs
• Using androgens
• Undergoing estrogen therapy and hormone therapy for a prolonged period of time
• Having a personal history of ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, or breast cancer
• Having a family history of ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, or breast cancer
• Being a carrier of inherited gene mutations – BRCA1 and BRCA2

A little knowledge can go a long way in helping you to be aware of and recognize the disease. If you are considered at risk for ovarian cancer or any other cancers, speak with your doctor to learn about your next steps and prevention. Be aware of your body and take note of any consistent changes.

When it comes to ovarian cancer, here are five things that every woman should know.