Ovarian Cancer
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This section is dedicated to a Woman, who died of Ovarian Cancer.
Faye Clark
I never knew her, but I could feel her precious being when I visited her husbands site.
She lost her life to Ovarian Cancer on January 12, 1998.
It is her families wish, that all women become educated and aware of Ovarian Cancer.
It is my wish that spreading their word helps save one life!
Her husband has created the most educational and loving tribute to his wife!
Please book mark this site, then go visit his pages.
Click on the banner to enter.
He offers support to women, as well as education.
What Are The Causes Of Ovarian Cancer?
Unfortunately, little is known about what causes ovarian cancer. Approximately one in 70 women will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime. The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age, and the rate is highest among women 60 years of age and over. The risk also increases substantially for those with a family history of ovarian cancer. In addition, certain reproductive and dietary factors appear to be associated with the development of ovarian cancer. It is important to remember that while all these "risk factors" may increase the possibility that a woman will develop ovarian cancer, they do not mean it will definitely occur.
Family History of Ovarian Cancer
A family history of ovarian cancer is perhaps the most significant risk factor for developing ovarian cancer. Women with two or more relatives — including mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers or aunts — who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer have up to a 50% risk of developing the disease. Risk also increases if other family members developed ovarian cancer before menopause or if there is a family history of breast, endometrial, colon, rectal, or pancreatic cancers in either female or male relatives.
Other Genetic Factors
Recently, scientists have identified genes called BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 that may be a risk factor for developing ovarian cancer. Women with BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes appear to have an increased risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer. While approximately two in 1,000 women in the general population carry the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes, approximately two in 100 Ashkenazi Jewish women carry these genes.
For more information on BRCA-1 click here and BRCA-2, click here.
Personal History of Cancer
A woman who has previously had cancer is at an increased risk for developing cancer in a different area of the body. For example, women with ovarian cancer are three times more likely to develop breast cancer and women with breast cancer are twice as likely to develop ovarian cancer.
High-fat Western Diet
Ovarian cancer is more common in women who live in Western countries than in women who live in other parts of the world. A diet high in meat and animal fat, often a characteristic of Western countries, has been associated with the development of ovarian cancer. To read more about diet and cancer prevention, click here.
Use of Talc or Baby Powder
There is some evidence that the use of talc or baby powder on or near the genital region of your body may increase the risk of ovarian cancer since it is related to the cancer-causing agent asbestos. For more information about this risk, click here.
Use of Fertility-Stimulating Drugs
Women taking fertility drugs such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and menotropins (Pergonal) to induce ovulation appear to have a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking fertility drugs, she is not at increased risk. More research is needed to understand the causes of ovarian cancer and to clarify the potential risks of fertility treatment.
Infertility
There is some evidence that infertile women and fertile women who have not had children have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
This article below is written by:
National Ovarian Cancer Organization
Thank you for the educational insight.
What Every Woman Should Know
About Ovarian Cancer
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the ovary. An ovary is one of two small, almond-shaped organs located on each side of the uterus that produce female hormones and store eggs or germ cells.
How prevalent is ovarian cancer in the United States?
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of new cancer cases, and accounts for 4 percent of all cancers in women. In women age 35-74, ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths. An estimated one woman in 55 will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that each year approximately 25,500 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed and 14,500 women die of ovarian cancer.
What is the general outlook for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer?
Because each woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has a different profile, it is impossible to give a general prognosis. If diagnosed and treated early, when the cancer is confined to the ovary, the 5-year survival rate approaches 93 percent (78-98 percent depending upon tumor type, stage, and grade). Unfortunately, due to ovarian cancer’s “quiet” symptoms, only 24 percent of all cases are found at this early stage. Because many ovarian cancers are not detected early, the overall 5-year survival rate for women with ovarian cancer is only between 35 percent and 47 percent, depending upon the type of tumor.
What are some of the symptoms or potential signs of ovarian cancer?
While the symptoms of ovarian cancer (particularly in the early stages) are often not acute or intense, they are not always silent if you know what to look for. Some symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort;
Vague, but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion;
Frequency and/or urgency of urination in absence of an infection;
Unexplained changes in bowel habits;
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss, particularly weight gain in the abdominal region;
Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating, and/or feeling of fullness;
Pain during intercourse;
Ongoing fatigue;
Abnormal postmenopausal bleeding (this symptom is rare).
What are some diagnostic tests that can be used to detect ovarian cancer?
No consistently reliable, accurate screening test to detect ovarian cancer exists (the Pap test does not detect it). The following tests are available and should be used:
Mandatory annual vaginal exam for women age 18 and above and annual rectovaginal exam for women age 35 and above. (Physician inserts fingers in the rectum and vagina simultaneously to feel for abnormal swelling and to detect tenderness.)
Transvaginal sonography for women, especially those at high risk. (An ultrasound performed with a small instrument placed in the vagina.)
Blood test to determine if the level of a tumor marker called CA-125 has increased in the blood for women at high risk. Its role in postmenopausal women is superior to that in premenopausal women. (This test is not definitive because some non-cancerous diseases of the ovaries also increase the CA-125 levels, and some ovarian cancers may not produce enough CA-125 to cause a positive test.)
If any of these tests are positive, consultation with a Gynecological Oncologist should be considered. X-ray studies and/or samples of fluid from the abdomen or tissue from the ovaries may be performed.
Is ovarian cancer hereditary?
Woman can inherit an increased risk for ovarian cancer, particularly if a “first degree” relative (mother, sister, or daughter) has, or has had, ovarian, breast or colon cancer. Further, women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer are more likely to develop the disease at an early age (younger than 50). Women of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish descent are also at greater risk if they have an affected family member.
Studies show that inheriting a defect in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes can also increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer by about 3 percent to 5 percent. Normally, these genes help to prevent cancer, but if a woman has inherited a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from either of her parents, her ovaries and breasts are more susceptible to the development of cancer.
What are some of the risk factors, other than family history, linked to ovarian cancer?
While the presence of one or more risk factors may increase a woman's chance of getting ovarian cancer, it does not necessarily mean that she will. A woman should be extra vigilant in watching for early symptoms, however, if she has any of these risk factors:
Personal history of breast, endometrial, or colon cancer;
Uninterrupted ovulation (infertility, neverused birth control pills, or no pregnancies);
Increasing age.
Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
At present, there is no known method to prevent ovarian cancer, but some things appear to reduce a woman's risk of developing the disease. They include:
Oral contraception: Use of oral contraceptives for a total of five years (does not have to be continuous) can decrease the risk by as much as 60 percent.
Breast-feeding and pregnancy: Having one or more children, particularly if the first is born before age 30, plus breast feeding, may decrease a woman’s risk.
Tubal ligation: Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure in which your fallopian tubes are tied to prevent pregnancy. This procedure does not prevent all or even most cases of ovarian cancer, and therefore should only be done for valid medical reasons, and not solely to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Hysterectomy: A woman should not have a hysterectomy exclusively to avoid ovarian cancer risk, but if one is being performed for valid medical reasons and she has a family history of ovarian or breast cancer or is over age 40, she should discuss concurrent ovary removal with her physician.
Prophylactic oophorectomy: Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one or both ovaries. Only recommended for certain extremely high-risk patients, the operation eliminates the risk for ovarian cancer, but not the risk for a less common tumor called Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma. (The reason is that other tissue similar to the ovarian tissue remains in the pelvic cavity and may rarely develop into cancer.)
Is there anything else a woman can do to reduce her risk of developing ovarian cancer?
Some research has shown a potential association between exposure to talc powders in the genital area, asbestos, and frequent douching, with a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer. Until more research is conducted, it is prudent to avoid using talc powder in the genital region. There are a number of cornstarch-based powders on the market, however, which offer women a safe alternative. Also, some research suggests a connection between a high fat diet and an increased ovarian cancer risk. Although the exact relationship is unclear, it is wise for women to reduce fat intake not only to potentially protect against ovarian cancer, but also to improve overall health.
What are the treatment options for ovarian cancer?
Women should always discuss treatment options with a physician, because optimal treatment will vary depending on the stage of disease, the woman's age, and the overall condition of her health. There are three main types of treatments for ovarian cancer:
Surgery: Surgery to remove the cancerous growth is the primary method for diagnosis and therapy for ovarian cancer. It is best performed by a qualified gynecologic oncologist. (Call The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation at 1-800-444-4441 for a referral.)
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy relies on the use of drugs that travel through the bloodstream to kill cancerous cells both in and outside of the ovaries. It is used in the majority of cases as a follow-up therapy to surgery.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors (only rarely used in the treatment of ovarian cancer in the United States).
Where can someone find support for dealing with ovarian cancer?
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition operates a toll-free number (1-888-OVARIAN), as well as a web site at www.ovarian.org. Hospitals and clinics will also have information on local support groups.