By: Dr. Schairer
About one-quarter of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a hereditary cancer gene. The most significant risk factor for ovarian cancer is an inherited genetic mutation in one or two genes: breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) or breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2).
Another known genetic link to ovarian cancer is an inherited syndrome called Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (or Lynch Syndrome).
Women with a family history of ovarian cancer may be referred to a genetic counselor for additional genetic screening.
Other risk factors include: family history, increasing age, not having children, early menarche or late menopause, endometriosis, and cigarette smoking.
Protective factors include: having your tubes and ovaries removed, oral contraceptive pills, tubal ligation, hysterectomy, breastfeeding, and having children.
Early Detection is Key
The goal of early detection is to reduce the death rate from ovarian cancer by diagnosing the disease while it is confined to the ovary. Approximately 80 percent of patients with early-stage disease are recurrence-free at five years. A secondary goal is the detection and treatment of advanced disease as early as possible. The use of symptom recognition may have the potential to identify women with early-stage disease.
Historically, ovarian cancer is called the “silent killer” because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance for cure was poor. However, studies found symptoms occur in many women even at the early stages of the disease. Symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are often non-gynecologic and frequently non-specific.
The key to early diagnosis is recognizing these signs and symptoms:
• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary urgency or frequency
• Nausea
Women with ovarian cancer report that these symptoms tend to be multiple, persistent, more severe than expected, occur almost daily, and a change from normal for their bodies.
Patients and providers may not consider the possibility of ovarian cancer when these symptoms arise. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is needed when such symptoms present in women who are older, have a family history of ovarian cancer, or who have a genetic mutation such as BRCA. Call your doctor, preferably a gynecologist, if the symptoms last more than two to three weeks.
When detected early and treated promptly, women with ovarian cancer demonstrate an approximately 90 percent survival rate. Living with cancer and undergoing treatment can be a frightening experience; Women’s Health Specialists can help patients cope during this difficult journey.
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above we want to help! To make an appointment please call our phone number at (920) 749-4000.