Ovarian cancer is cancer that begins in the ovaries.  The ovaries are made of 3 different types of cells that can each develop a different tumor.  Most of these ovarian tumors are benign (non-cancerous).  Malignant tumors (cancerous) can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body and can be fatal.

What are Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors:

• Age: the risk increased with age.  It is rare in women younger than 40.
• Obesity: BMI of at least 30 have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
• Reproductive history:  Those who have been pregnant and carried a baby to term before age 26 have a lower risk than those who have not. The risk decreased with each full-term pregnancy.  Breastfeeding may lower the risk more.
• Birth Control: women who use oral contraceptive for 5 or more years have about 50% lower risk
• Gynecologic surgery: tubal ligation and hysterectomy may reduce the chance of developing ovarian cancer, but should only be done for valid medical reasons.
• Fertility drugs: use of Clomid for more than one year can increase the risk.  Infertility can also increase your risk.
• Androgens: male hormone; Danazol is a drug that increased this hormone and can increase your risk as well.
• Estrogen therapy: the use of estrogen especially without progesterone for at least 5 or 10 yrs.
• Family History: a family history of breast cancer or colorectal cancer
• Family Cancer syndromes: about 5-10% are part of family cancer syndromes resulting from inherited changes (mutations)
• Hereditary and person history of breast cancer:  BRCA1, BRCA2

Why is Early Detection Important? 

• 20% of ovarian cancers are found early
• When found early, 94% of patients live longer than 5 yrs after diagnosis
• Pelvic exam: during a pelvic exam, your provider feels the uterus and ovaries for size, shape and consistency.  Unfortunately, ovarian tumors are difficult or impossible to feel at an early stage. 
• Better ways of detecting ovarian cancer are being researched.

What are the Symptoms:  There are no symptoms in the early stages.  By the time a patient has symptoms, the condition is more advanced.  Symptoms include: abdominal swelling, bloating, pelvic pressure, abdominal pain, urinary symptoms (urgency), difficulty eating or feeling full, fatigue, upset stomach, back pain, pain during sex, constipation, menstrual changes and weight loss. 

How is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?

• Physical exam
• Consultation with a specialist
• Imaging test
• Ultrasound; transvaginal ultrasound
• Barium enema x-ray
• MRI scan
• Chest x-ray
• Pet scan
• Laparoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Biopsy
• Laboratory tests

Statistics:

• About 22,280 women in 2016 will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer (According to the American Cancer Society).
• About 14,240 women will died from ovarian cancer (American Cancer Society)
• A women’s risk of ovarian cancer is 1 in 75.
• Her lifetime chance of dying from ovarian cancer is 1 in 100
• Mainly develops in older women.  About ½ of women diagnosed are 63 y/o or older