Ovarian Cancer

May 9, 2020

3 min read

Are you or a loved one affected by ovarian cancer? Living with this condition can lead to a lot of uncertainty and worry. But it may be helpful to know that you're not alone. Every year, about 21,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with this health condition, and the lifetime risk of developing it is about 1 in 78.

In other words, ovarian cancer is more common than you may realize. Keep reading to learn more about this condition, including why it's so important to get early treatment.

Signs, Symptoms, and Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer usually happens in women who are older than 63, but it can affect women of all ages. Researchers don't exactly know why ovarian cancer happens in some women, but genetics, environment, and lifestyle are all likely involved to some degree. Researchers do know that ovarian cancer appears to start in cells at the end of the fallopian tubes (connecting the ovaries to the uterus) instead of the ovary itself. Different types of ovarian cancerous tumors exist, including epithelial, germ cell, and stromal tumors.

The most common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

Bloating
Feeling full quickly
Pelvic, back, or abdominal pain
Urinary urgency (always feeling like you have to pee)
Urinary frequency (going pee often)
Constipation
Pain during sex
Fatigue
Changes in menstruation, such as irregular or heavy bleeding

Many other conditions can present with similar symptoms. In fact, if a woman notices these symptoms, it's less likely that ovarian cancer is the cause compared to something else. However, the American Cancer Society recommends that women speak with their doctors if they notice these issues more than 12 times in a month, or if they have any known risk factors for ovarian cancer, including advancing age, cancer in their family, smoking, or other health conditions like obesity, diabetes, or other types of cancer. (Taking hormone replacement therapy after menopause, having children later in life, never having a full-term pregnancy, and using fertility treatment are also recognized as possible risk factors for ovarian cancer.). Ovarian cancer is more highly prevalent among patients with a family history, in particular those with a hereditary cancer syndrome (eg, BRCA1, BRCA2, Lynch syndrome, or others)

Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can show up in the early stages, but they often aren't noticeable until the cancer has spread to other areas of the body ,and for this reason Ovarian Cancer has a high mortality rate. So, if you or a loved one ever has any concerns, talk to a doctor.

Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment for Women with Ovarian Cancer

While ovarian cancer is the leading type of cancer affecting the female reproductive system, the rate of diagnosis has been going down over the past couple decades. And researchers and doctors do know that the earlier ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the better the prognosis is. For example, the five-year survival rate for early stage ovarian cancer is more than 90 percent. This means that the majority of women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the early stages will still be alive five years after they first get their diagnosis.

Unfortunately, only about 20 percent of cases of ovarian cancer are detected early. Usually, a woman will not receive a diagnosis until the cancer has already reached an advanced stage, which lowers her chances of survival. And if a woman doesn't have symptoms and isn't considered high risk, her doctor may not recommend any specific screening.

There are a variety of tests that can detect ovarian cancer, however. These include a pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and blood test (CA 125 ovarian cancer tumor marker). Pap smears (which can detect cervical cancers) are typically not able to detect ovarian cancer.

Treatment for ovarian cancer may not be the same for every woman, but can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy, such as luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, which lower estrogen levels in premenopausal women. Regular communication and follow-up with the medical team is important for women with ovarian cancer, as well as social connection. Research shows that social support can improve psychological well-being and reduce distress following an ovarian cancer diagnosis.

If you or someone you know has ovarian cancer, you may be dealing with a lot of questions right now. If you want some support, including tips on what to ask your doctor and how to manage your symptoms and lifestyle, we invite you to get to know our other Healthread community members who are also affected by this condition.