A focus on
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the third most common malignancy of the female pelvic organs, after uterine and cervical cancer. But it is also the most fatal pelvic malignancy.
The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age. It’s also more likely to occur if close relatives have developed the disease. Also at risk are childless women and those who have had breast cancer. Vulnerable too, are those with early onset of menstruation, or a late menopause. And some women inherit genetic mutations that place them at increased risk.
Epidemiological studies also show that the incidence of ovarian cancer varies from one ethnic group to another. Japanese women are less likely to develop ovarian cancer. Conversely, the rate is high in Swedish women. In North America there’s another interesting discrepancy. The disease is higher in whites than non-whites. And, in Africa, white women have double the rate of ovarian cancer than black women.
Ovarian Cancer Risk
Ovarian cancer can be easy to miss.
The challenge of
Diagnosis
Ovarian cancer has been called the disease that whispers, for good reason. Women with this malignancy often complain of constipation, increased urination, mild digestive symptoms, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abdominal bloating. The problem is that many other women, who do not suffer from this disease, have the same vague symptoms.
Another problem is female anatomy. The ovaries hang from the fallopian tubes like pillows on a clothes line. Loops of bowel are easily pushed aside while the tumour grow, which can result in a large ovarian mass before pain occurs. Tests are available, but they have their own diagnostic complications.
Even the pelvic examination presents potential trouble. Ovaries are the size of a walnut and difficult to feel if patients are obese, or if they haven’t urinated before examination, or if the bowel is loaded. The doctor may do an ultrasound, but it may still not reveal early malignancy.
While huge advances have occurred in many areas of medicine and surgery over the past several decades, that’s not the case for ovarian cancer.
Standard treatment following diagnosis has been surgical removal of both ovaries and uterus, followed by either chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of both therapies. But unfortunately, the recurrence rate continues to remain high.
Immunological studies are being done that promise new hope for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. But the breakthroughs always seem like such a long wait.
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