Working To Create Greater Awareness of Ovarian Cancer
Odessa Chambliss Center Dr . Diana Lee Bethune Cookman University Ovarian Cancer Center Daytona Beach , Florida August 2017
What makes ovarian cancer difficult to diagnose ?
It is challenging to diagnose ovarian cancer because it is difficult to detect . The detection of ovarian cancer is only 20 - 25 % at early stages . When ovarian cancer is detected early at a localized stage , the survival rate of patients living longer than 5 years is approximately 94 %. The ovaries are small organs that are deeply situated in a woman ' s abdomen making any abnonnality in them hard to detect in a pelvic examination . It is usually not detectable by a pap smear , and women in general feel free of cancer after having a nonnal pap smear . It is a cancer that provokes mild and vague symptoms that usually do not raise an alarm in patients or health care providers . The vast majority of patients are diagnosed at later stages which increases mortality .
When should a woman be concerned ?
Medical science has improved and increased the survival rate of many cancers . A few still remain with a high incidence of mortality due to late diagnosis . Ovarian cancer remains one of the most aggressive cancers and difficult to diagnose . According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) ovarian cancer is the fifth cause of cancer death in women in the United States .
What are the symptoms ?
• Abdominal / pelvic bloating or swelling
• Continuous feeling of abdominal / stomach fullness
• Indigestion , gas , constipation , diarrhea or nausea
• Abdominal / pelvic discomfort and / or mild pain
• Unexplained fatigue and weight loss
• Vaginal bleeding , irregular period , postmcnopausal
What can I do to prevent Ovarian cancer ? 1 . A woman must know her body under healthy conditions to notice changes , and follow-up .
2 . Have a primary health care provider and annual physical examination
3 . Decrease factors that influence the development of cancers like smoking and obesity
4 . Know family history of cancer , including if the woman has the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene , and / or family history of Lynch Syndrome
5 . Research has shown that oral contraceptives used for 3 years or more decrease the chances of ovarian cancer by 30 - 50 %
6 . Surgery may be a preventive measure in patients with certain risk factors
What doctor should I see if I suspect ovarian cancer in myself or a loved one ?
If a woman is concerned about O \ anan cancer , her primary healthcare pro \ idcr or her gynecologist arc the first stop . If there is family history of cancer and / or genetic susceptibility , then a gynecological oncologist is a good option .
Is it genetic ? Ovarian cancer can be genetic in patients with risk factors . However , risk factors increase the chances of getting cancer , but they do not cause cancer and people with risk factors may never develop it . Some people without risk factors may in fact develop ovarian cancer , hence why women need to have a primary healthcare provider to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and health care options .