Ovarian Cancer – Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
Around 1.5 percent of women are likely to develop ovarian cancer at some stage of their life. It is less common than breast cancer but is considered as the most serious and fatal of all gynecological cancers.
The reason for this is that the cancer is usually advanced before it is diagnosed, making treatment difficult. The ovaries cannot be easily examined and, because the warning signs are unclear, late diagnosis is common.
Because of the lack of screening tests available, it is imperative to know the early symptoms and the possible risk factors.
Understanding ovarian cancer
The ovaries are two small organs that are a part of the female reproductive system and they are situated each side of the uterus. These ovaries contain germ cells that become eggs which are released when the woman menstruates.
They also produce estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that adjust the menstrual cycle and have an effect on the growth of breasts and body hair as well as affecting the development of the female body shape.
What types of tumors are there?
This normally happens in an organised manner but occasionally they grow abnormally and form a growth that we know as a tumor.
This tumor may be benign or it may be malignant. If it is benign, it is not cancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body. A malignant tumor, on the other hand, is cancerous and will often spread, making mestastases or secondary cancers.
Ovarian cancer is malignant and can occur in either one or both of the ovaries. There are three main groups that are related to the cells where the cancer starts.
Epithelial ovarian cancer, as its name implies, grows in the epithelium which is the surface of the ovary. It is the most common and accounts for around 90 percent of ovarian cancer. It mainly affects post menopausal women.
Another kind of epithelial tumor is a borderline tumor which grows much more slowly than its regular counterpart. These can normally be removed successfully even if diagnosed at an advanced stage.
There is a very rare form of ovarian cancer called germ cell ovarian cancer that starts in the cells that develop into eggs. This only accounts for about 5 percent of ovarian cancers and usually occurs only in women under 30.
The other five percent of ovarian cancers are generally sex-chord stromal cell ovarian cancer that affects the ovary cells responsible for female hormones. It can affect women of all ages.
Who is at risk of getting ovarian cancer?
The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown but there are some risk factors that have been identified through research. Although having these risk factors may increase your chances of developing ovarian cancer, they do not mean that you will necessarily get the disease. However, knowledge of these risk factors can be helpful. If you are concerned by having any of these risk factors, it is important to talk to your healthcare professional.
Factors that may increase your risk of ovarian cancer include:
Age- Around 90 percent of ovarian cancers affect women over 40.
Cultural background – Caucasian women in western society have higher rates of ovarian cancer than African or Asian women.
Number of pregnancies – Women who have never been pregnant appear to have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
Family history – Between 5 and 10% of ovarian cancers are genetic. Researchers believe that the genes responsible for breast cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are involved in almost all cases of familial ovarian cancer as well as familial breast cancer. It is also thought that these same damaged genes may be responsible for some endometrial and colon cancers. If you are genetically predisposed to any ovarian, breast, endometrial or colon cancers, you may have an increased risk of getting ovarian cancer.
Infertility and taking fertility drugs – Women who have had fertility drugs may be at a higher risk although infertility itself is a risk factor so this cannot be taken as a clear indication.
Hormone Replacement Therapy – The use of estrogen only HRT which is usually when you have had a hysterectomy, has been identified as a possible risk factor for ovarian cancer, particularly if you have been on this therapy for over ten years.
Lifestyle factors – Obesity is a risk factor associated with ovarian cancer as is a diet that is high in fat.
Can I reduce the risk of ovarian cancer?
Currently, there are no known procedures to prevent or detect early ovarian cancer but there are ways to reduce the risks. Some of these are:
Oral contraceptives – Research has found that the use of oral contraceptives can cut the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 60 percent if taken for a period of five years during your life.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding – Breastfeeding delays ovulation after childbirth and therefore decreases your risk of ovarian cancer. However, there is no guarantee that breastfeeding will stop you from developing ovarian cancer.
Enjoy a low fat diet – A high fat diet has been identified as a risk factor in ovarian cancer. Therefore, it makes sense to stick to a low fat diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Tubal ligation or hysterectomy – These operations are only performed with a valid medical reason but it is believed that they both reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
People with a strong family history of ovarian cancer may opt to speak to a genetic counselor that can assess whether you are at risk of developing the disease. If your family history suggests the damaged genes associated with ovarian, breast, endometrial, or colon cancer, it may be wise to have genetic testing. If these tests show the damaged BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, you may be refe.rred to a gynecological oncologist to consider ways to reduce your risk.
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer
Because there is no screening test available for ovarian cancer, it is recommended that you have a regular pelvic vaginal checkup to see if there are any changes in your ovaries. It is also vital that you consult your healthcare specialist if you notice any possible signs of this illness. Because the symptoms are often common to many other medical conditions, diagnosis of ovarian cancer can be difficult
However, if you have any of the following symptoms that are unusual for you and that persist for more than a week, see your doctor without delay.
Some symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
Stomach discomfort of pain in the pelvic area
Persistent nausea or wind.
Feeling constantly bloated or ‘full’.
Unexplained weight gain.
Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
Bowel changes
Frequency or urgency in urination
Lethargy.
Pain during intercourse.
Unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Sometimes, ovarian cancers are wrongly diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome or menopause so if you are concerned, ask to be referred to a gynecological oncologist who can order tests to rule out ovarian cancer. It is rare that these symptoms will be ovarian cancer but if it is, early detection gives an excellent chance of survival.
Diagnosing ovarian cancer
If your doctor suspects ovarian cancer, you will be referred to a gynecological oncologist who will organize tests which may include any or all of the following:
An internal pelvic examination.
Blood tests
Chest and stomach x-rays.
A barium enema to rule out bowel problems
Ultrasound scans
If the results show a likelihood of ovarian cancer, you will be recommended to have an operation to confirm the diagnosis (none of the abovementioned tests can be sure). During the operation, if the surgeon finds ovarian cancer, they will normally remove the cancer as well as the ovaries.
It is important to understand before the surgery that this may happen so learn all you can about your illness and the outcomes before the operation.
Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of www.magnetic-health-online.com and www.betterhealthshoppe.com which are both information portals with many interesting medical articles. She is also an associate of www.timzbiz.com which features many articles on internet marketing and resources.
Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of www.magnetic-health-online.com and www.betterhealthshoppe.com which are both information portals with many interesting medical articles. She is also an associate of www.timzbiz.com which features many articles on internet marketing and resources.
Breast Cancer Metastasis Sites
In most people affected by cancer, these genetic changes happen after birth later in life. Breast Cancer Metastasis SitesIn Hereditary Cancer, the cancer is caused by a genetic mutation that the person was born with. Some cancers, such as breast, ovary and colon tend to be hereditary, but that doesn’t mean that you will develop a cancer in one of these areas if you have an immediate family member that has experienced the disease. Not all genetic mutations will develop into cancer, however, the mutation will increase the chance that the person will have a higher risk of developing cancer.
Only 10% of all breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary. Some of the factors that increase the occurrence of hereditary breast cancer are breast cancer before age 45, male breast cancer, cancer in both breasts and many cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer on one side of the family. If you have two relatives from the same side of your family with breast cancer, your risk of getting the disease can be increased. However it does not mean that you will definitely get breast cancer. You also must keep in mind that the risk for hereditary cancer can be passed on from your mother or your father. You must look at both sides of the family.
The two hereditary mutations that are looked at for breast cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2. The test for these two genetic factors are done by taking a blood sample. Both of these BRCA mutations (BReast CAncer 1 and 2) are associated with breast and ovarian cancers.
So what factors should you consider when thinking about genetic testing? The age and onset of breast cancer. What other types of cancer are present. What other family members have/had cancer and their relationship to you. When you meet with a genetic counselor, they will go over your family’s medical history and information. This will include first-degree relatives, such as your parents, siblings and children. second-degree relatives like grandparents, aunts and uncles and your third-degree relatives or cousins.
Genetic testing can help a breast cancer patient make decisions about types of treatment and follow-care. A woman with the one of the BRCA mutations may decide to have both breasts removed completely to help reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Having your healthy breasts or ovaries removed to prevent cancer is called a “prophylactic surgery” and many women who test positive for the genetic mutations decide to go that route. They may just decide to take Tamoxifen to lower their risk.
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Not only can women take advantage of risk reduction techniques based on the results of their genetic testing, there are also increased surveillance tools that can help high risk individuals with early detection. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are two tools that can be combined with a mammogram to detect breast cancer in its most treatable stage.
Not every person who carries a genetic mutation will develop cancer. You must remember that genetic testing does not detect breast cancer and it will not tell you if you will get breast cancer in your lifetime. The decision to participate in genetic testing is very personal and there is no right or wrong choice in making the decision to have it done.
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Genetic Testing For Cancer Is A Growing Trend
Genetic testing for cancer is growing, both in the number of people receiving testing as well as in the mutations that are being found that are linked to cancer inheritance. Some of the cancers which have been associated with specific genes include breast cancer, familial melanoma, hereditary papillary renal carcinoma, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, neurofibromatosis, and Retinoblastoma.
Although genetic testing for cancer may show whether someone has a predisposition towards a particular type of cancer it does not necessarily mean that they will get that cancer. Likewise, a negative result for a cancer causing gene does not mean that someone will not get this cancer, but just that their chances of getting this cancer are the same as for the general population.
The process of genetic testing for cancer will include an initial interview with a medical geneticist, genetic counselor or medical doctor who will find out your family history and other pertinent information. They can then advise you about genetic testing and it will be up to you to decide whether you want to go ahead with the testing (you should never feel pressurized into having genetic testing)
Once this interview has taken place and you have decided to go ahead with the genetic testing for cancer a sample of your DNA will be taken. This can either be done through a swab of the inner cheek or through a blood sample.
This DNA sample will be sent to the laboratory who will analyze the sample for the genes known to be linked to hereditary cancers and mutations such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Once the genetic testing for cancer has been done you will be given your results but it is important to remember what we mentioned earlier, that a positive result does not automatically mean you will get cancer and a negative result that you will not.
“What’s New in Cancer Genetics and Genetics Counseling” from “Medscape Nurses” says “of the 15-20% of women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, only 5-10% have a genetic mutation. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for 70% of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. (BRCA2 is less strongly associated with ovarian cancer). Carriers of these genes have a 50-80% lifetime risk of developing disease, versus a 12.5% risk among those who do not carry the gene (1 in 8), and these cancers are seen at an earlier age than expected. When carriers are identified, critical screening and prophylactic treatment can be offered to these patients.”
In conclusion genetic testing for cancer is increasing both in the number of people being tested as well as in the amount of knowledge available regarding the inheritance of cancer. A number of different genes have been linked to a variety of different cancers, however just because a person is a carrier of the gene does not automatically mean that they will inherit the disease or because they do not have the gene that they will not inherit the disease. If you choose to go for genetic testing for cancer you will first of all be interviewed by a health care practitioner who should also be able to answer any of your questions so that you can make an informed decision. Once you have made the decision a sample of DNA will be taken either through blood testing or through a swab taken of the inner cheek. This may allow you to take preventative action or ensure that your lifestyle is a healthy one and doesn’t pose any additional risks.
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