Ovarian cancer: What are the facts, signs and symptoms?
September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month —a great time to learn more about this disease, which is the fifth-leading malignant cause of death among U.S. women.
Who gets ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer tends to occur in women in their fifties and older, but almost a third of cases crop up in women under the age of 55. Many ovarian cancer patients have a genetic disposition, which may include:
- Carrying the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene
- Having breast cancer
- Having Lynch Syndrome, an inherited condition
- Having a first-degree relative with ovarian, breast, colon or uterine cancer
A woman’s menstrual cycle may also affect her chance of developing ovarian cancer. Your risk is increased if you:
- Started menstruating before the age of 12
- Haven’t given birth
- Had your first child after 30
- Experienced menopause after 50
- Have never taken oral contraceptives
Women who use menopausal hormone replacement therapy are also at an increased risk for ovarian cancer.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
One of the reasons ovarian cancer tends to be discovered late is that symptoms can be vague. They include bloating, weight gain, an increase in abdominal girth, a feeling of fullness after eating relatively little, or pain in the lower abdomen, pelvic area or bladder.
Additional symptoms may include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities.
Unfortunately, there is no adequate screening test for ovarian cancer. However, women who have experienced it report that their symptoms were persistent and were abnormal for their bodies. See your doctor, preferably a gynecologist, if you have these symptoms more than 12 times in one month and the symptoms are new or unusual for you.
What if I think I might have ovarian cancer?
After you’ve discussed your symptoms, your doctor can perform a battery of tests: a complete pelvic exam, a transvaginal or pelvic ultrasound, and a CA-125 blood test. On their own, these tests are not definitive, but they are most effective when used in combination with each other. However, the only definitive way to determine if you have ovarian cancer is through surgery and biopsy.
If you are concerned about your health history, your risk factors or any symptoms you might be experiencing, please call Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello. We’d be happy to have you come in to talk things over with our team.
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