Let’s Talk About…Ovarian Cancer

Earlier this week, I posted about ovarian cancer and preserving fertility among women who are still in their childbearing years (Ovarian Cancer, Young Women & Fertility).

But other than knowing that ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose and it’s survival rate is not good because of the difficulty diagnosing it in the early stages, how much do you know about it?

Ovarian cancer, one of the gynecological cancers, along with uterine, endometrial, cervical and vaginal cancers, affects mostly women over the age of 50, or post menopause. Younger women do develop ovarian cancer but it’s not as common. While doctors don’t know what causes ovarian cancer, they do know that fertility and menopause play a role, showed by the rising number of older women who develop it.

Why is it hard to diagnose?

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are very vague and could easily be mistaken for other, much less serious health problems. And, although they may be uncomfortable, many women end up managing to live with them. The symptoms may include:

• Bloating in the abdomen
• Cramping
• Gas
• A feeling of pressure in the abdomen
• Unexplained changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Low back pain
• Changes in menstruation

Some women are diagnosed when they visit their doctor for a regular check up. Unfortunately, many women stop going for gynecological check ups once they’ve finished menopause because they feel that they no longer need this type of care. Since ovarian cancer strikes later in life, it shows that these examinations are important, no matter what age you are.

Testing

In order to diagnose ovarian cancer, your doctor would send you for various tests from blood tests to imaging (ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging). If your doctor continues to suspect ovarian cancer, then you may have to undergo a biopsy to have sample of the ovary tissue sent for testing.

Treatment

If caught early enough, removal of the ovaries, called an oopherectomy, can get rid of all the cancer. Some women also require removal of the uterus, a hysterectomy. Chemotherapy may also be needed.

Survival rate

Survival rate for early ovarian cancer is good. The American Cancer Society reports early ovarian cancer to have a survival rate of 93%. Unfortunately, only about 20% of ovarian cancer is diagnosed early. For late, more advanced ovarian cancer, the survival rate hovers around 30%.

Risks and prevention

Although doctors don’t know what causes ovarian cancer or how to prevent it, they do know that some women have a higher risk of devloping it. These include women who:

• have a family history of ovarian cancer
• are older
• have never had a child
• take some types of hormone replacement therapy

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Part of the Let’s Talk About… Series

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Photo: StockXchnge.com