What is Ovarian Cancer?
At UIC Pharmacy, we want to keep you informed, September is Ovarian Cancer
Awareness Month, so this is a great time to learn about ovarian cancer. Ovarian tumors can be benign
(noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Ovarian cancer is defined as a growth of abnormal malignant cells that
begins in the ovaries, the part of the female reproductive tract where eggs are
produced. Noncancerous cells
do not spread to other parts of the body (metastasize); however, malignant
cells can metastasize throughout the body.
Lifetime risk of developing
ovarian cancer in a women with no affected relatives is 1 in 70 or 1.4%. If a first degree relative has ovarian
cancer, a woman’s lifetime risk rises to 5%. Post-menopausal women are more likely to be diagnosed with
the disease than younger women, with a median age at diagnosis of 63 years.
Risk factors for developing
ovarian cancer include:
●
Mutations in the BRCA1
or BRCA2 genes.
●
A family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
●
Advanced age (over 55 years).
●
Never having a baby.
Common Symptoms
It is important for all women to
be familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer, since early detection improves
survival. There is no definitive
screening test for ovarian cancer and signs and symptoms are often
silent or vague, making early detection difficult. Therefore, women should not hesitate to talk to their doctor
if they have any of the most common symptoms.
See a physician if you have the
following symptoms daily for a few weeks:
● Bloating.
● Pelvic
or abdominal pain.
● Difficulty
eating or feeling full quickly.
Other common symptoms of ovarian
cancer are non-specific and may be seen with other conditions:
● Feeling
the need to urinate, or urinating often.
● Pain
with sexual intercourse.
● Digestive
problems such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer is
made only through biopsy of ovarian tissue, which is when a doctor uses a large
needle to take out a small piece of the ovary. Women with symptoms of ovarian cancer who have additional
risk factors can have further tests performed to determine if a biopsy is needed. Examples of these other tests include:
●
Pelvic exam:
a doctor uses his or her hands to check the size and shape of the
ovaries.
●
Ultrasonography:
viewing a picture of the ovary to detect changes that could indicate
ovarian cancer.
●
Blood test:
looks for a protein called CA-125 that is found in ovarian cancer cells.
This test is not always accurate on its own, but the results can be considered
in combination with other test results and symptoms.
Current treatment of ovarian
cancer includes surgical removal of the cancer followed by medications to
destroy the remaining cancer cells (chemotherapy). Most women require surgery that includes a hysterectomy
(removal of the uterus [the womb]) and a salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of
ovaries and fallopian tubes, the tubes connecting the ovaries and uterus).
Protecting Yourself
There are some things you can do
to minimize your risk for developing ovarian cancer.
●
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help protect
against ovarian cancer.
●
Having a regular pelvic exam from your doctor may help
with early detection of ovarian cancer.
To help with early detection, women at high risk may also undergo some
of the other tests used to diagnose ovarian cancer.
●
Taking birth control pills for 5 years may reduce
ovarian cancer risk.
●
Having a baby and breastfeeding may reduce risk of
ovarian cancer.
●
Having surgery to close or tie off the fallopian tubes
may reduce the chances of developing ovarian cancer. After this procedure it is no longer possible to become
pregnant so it is not often done in younger patients.
Seventy percent of patients with
ovarian cancer are first diagnosed when the disease has already spread from the
ovaries to other parts of the body.
When ovarian cancer has spread it is much harder to treat. Early detection of ovarian cancer
improves survival, so it is
important to be attentive to the symptoms described above, understand your risk
factors, and talk about any of your concerns with your healthcare providers.
Interested in learning more?
The following websites are good
resources for finding out more about ovarian cancer.
You can also stop one of the UIC Pharmacy locations and consult your UIC Pharmacist.
Jamie Wrenn
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2013
UIC College of Pharmacy
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