Overcoming Ovarian Cancer

It has been 22 years since my mother died of ovarian cancer. I still don’t know the entire truth about her condition. She had complained that she needed to see a doctor because of stomach issues, which she attributed to stress from her job. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer the day before she died. She talked about her stomach maybe for a year off and on. Now, I realize that she was suffering from abnormal bloating, which is one of the symptoms of this condition.

Up until my mother died, I have never heard of anyone I knew with this particular cancer. The only person I read about was Liz Tilberis, an editor in chief at Harper’s Bazaar, who died back in 1999. So I had a lot to learn about this disease.  

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in a woman’s ovaries, the organs responsible in the reproductive system for creating eggs. Cancer describes the abnormal cell growth that happens in a body. When this takes place in the ovaries, you develop ovarian cancer. The abnormal cell growth can lead to the formation of a tumor. The tumor can be malignant, meaning cancerous or benign meaning not cancerous. When malignant cells develop in the ovaries, this is ovarian cancer.

The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, about 21,410 women will receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and about 13,770 will die from ovarian cancer. This cancer tends to develop in older women. It is more prevalent among white women.

You may run the risk of developing ovarian cancer:

·       if you have a family history of ovarian, colorectal, breast, or uterine cancer

·       if you have used hormone replacement therapy

·       if you are obese

·       if you have had issues with infertility

·       if you have an increased number of menstrual cycles

Some telltale symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are pelvic and abdominal pain, bloating, urinary issues (e.g. changes in frequency or urgency), and difficulty eating and feeling like you are full quickly. Other symptoms may include unusual lumps or increased size abdomen and abnormal bleeding or vaginal discharge.

As with most cancers, early detection is key. Unfortunately, there is no screening test for ovarian cancer. There is no known precancerous lesion for ovarian cancer unlike say, colon cancer, where you can catch these lesions during a screening test. Early-stage tumors cannot be found during pelvic exams because the ovaries are deep within the body, making it difficult for a doctor to feel them.

There is a gene mutation test regarding the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are inherited and tell if you are susceptible to developing breast and ovarian cancer. Your doctor can also perform a blood test to see if you carry the biomarker CA-125. High levels of this biomarker indicate cancer but it is important to note this isn’t always reliable when it comes to ovarian cancer.

Your physician may suggest a transvaginal ultrasound test as well. This is when a wand is inserted into the vagina to get images of your ovaries. This tool secures images of abnormal masses but unfortunately the only way to tell if the masses are cancerous is through surgery (you see, getting ovarian cancer in the early stages is tough, right!). Some other tests may include chest X-ray, MRI, PET scan, and a CT scan.

Really the best way to push for early detection is to know your own body. If you have strange pelvic or abdominal symptoms that persist for at least three weeks, see your doctor.

Once you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the goal will be to remove as much cancer through surgery as possible. That’s where the laparoscopy (surgery to diagnose cancer) or laparotomy (surgery where incision is made into your abdomen to remove your ovaries) come in. Your physician will recommend chemotherapy before or after the surgery too. Chemotherapy describes the drugs you will take to kill those cancerous cells.

So can you prevent ovarian cancer? No, sadly, there is no way to prevent this type of cancer and many times it is detected once it has already spread. You can make certain lifestyle choices to prevent cancer in general like eating the right foods and exercising. And you can lower your risk of ovarian cancer by having children and taking oral contraceptives. But again, pay attention to your body. If something doesn’t seem right, consult your doctor.