Ovarian Cancer: What You Need to Know

Ovarian cancer is one of the scariest forms of cancer diagnosis for a woman to receive because it often goes undetected until it has reached a late stage. Most cases of ovarian cancer do not produce any early signs or symptoms, so there are some..

Facts:

The Pap test does not detect ovarian cancer.
1 in 75 women will develop ovarian cancer.
Early-stage ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect.
Ovarian cancer has a 90% 5-year survival rate when detected early.

Risk factors:

Older aged women are more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
A family history of ovarian cancer puts women at an increased risk.
Inherited gene mutations are known to increase the risk of ovarian cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 also increase the risk of breast cancer.
Estrogen hormone replacement therapy of long-term use and/or in large doses.
Beginning menstruation at an early age or starting menopause at a later age may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

All risk factors should be brought up with your doctor. These risk factors will determine how your doctor screens you for ovarian cancer.

Signs and Symptoms:

Understanding the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can have a profound impact on detecting this disease at an early stage. It is vital that you know and pay attention to your body. The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) lists the following as the four primary symptoms of ovarian cancer:

Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often

If you are looking for a gynecologist you can trust to provide a proactive approach to women’s cancers, contact our Marietta Cancer Screening Experts at Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A. today.