Ovarian Cancer - Ignorance is Not Bliss

Ovarian Cancer – Ignorance is Not Bliss

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in American women.  And sadly, more than half of women who are diagnosed with it will die from it.  (https://health.usnews.com/health-care/articles/2018-09-02/what-every-woman-needs-to-know-about-ovarian-cancer).

Part of the reason for the high mortality rate of this cancer is that it is often diagnosed at late stages when it has already spread to other areas of the body.  Symptoms of ovarian cancer also range from no symptoms to things like pelvic pain, weight gain, fatigue, and abnormal bleeding post-menopause. 

Often these symptoms are mistaken for something else and many women go without proper diagnosis.  Still some women are afraid to get testing and avoid it until it is too late.

This is a huge mistake.  Women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in its early stages have a very high chance of cure and survival.  The survival rate after 5 years of women who were diagnosed before the cancer has spread is 93%.  Time is of the essence when it comes to diagnosing and treating this form of the disease.

It’s important to have regular pelvic exams.  During a pelvic exam your doctor will feel the ovaries and uterus and pay attention to any abnormalities in the size or shape.  Occasionally this exam can detect cancers, but ovarian tumors can be difficult to feel in their early stages.

If you have symptoms of ovarian cancer, you should insist on a screening exam.  This can be done with a transvaginal ultrasound that allows a physician to look at the ovaries and detect any tumors.  There is also a blood test called CA-125 that detects a protein in the blood that can be found in high levels when a woman has ovarian cancer. 

The most important thing you can do is pay attention to any symptoms and make sure to see a physician as soon as you notice them.  You may have to insist on a pelvic ultrasound.  If your doctor doesn’t take you seriously, you should look for another who will.  If transvaginal ultrasounds sounds invasive, but it is typically painless and is a short experience.

If you have bloating, pelvic pain, trouble eating, urinary urgency or frequency, fatigue, pain during sex, constipation, or bleeding after menopause you may be experiencing ovarian cancer symptoms. 

Risk factors for ovarian cancer include a family history, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, Lynch Syndrome, personal history of endometriosis or breast, uterine, and colorectal cancers, increasing age (age 55-64), hormone replacement therapy, obesity, and infertility.