Ovarian cancer is a critical issue for women. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 22,000 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S. last year “” most in the later stages “” and around 14,200 women died from ovarian cancer in 2014.
Currently, no commonly accepted, reliable ovarian cancer screening test exists. Pap smears, while effective at detecting cervical cancer, are not used to screen for ovarian cancer. Blood tests and ultrasound can detect ovarian tumors, but aren’t effective in diagnosing the disease in its early stages.
Subtle signs of a serious problem
For most newly diagnosed cases, it’s often only when the patient noticed outward symptoms and the cancer has reached stage three or four that it’s diagnosed. By the time the patient experiences bloating, a suppressed appetite, pain and urinary problems, the disease has already spread from the ovaries and a full recovery is less likely.
That’s why it’s even more important to be in tune with your body and seek the help of a gynecologist if you notice any of the above symptoms occurring more than a few times during a month.
Concerned about ovarian cancer? Keep these five tips in mind:
1. Treatment is likely to require surgery and chemotherapy, and the surgery may be extensive.
Late-stage ovarian cancer surgeries often involve the removal of one or both ovaries, the fallopian tubes and other tissues affected by the cancer. It may even require removal of the uterus and cervix.
Before surgery, patients should undergo an extensive medical evaluation to determine their ability to tolerate surgery. In most cases, surgery is the first order of treatment, followed by chemotherapy.
2. Chemotherapy might not be so tough.
Chemotherapy drugs for ovarian cancer are generally more easily tolerated, and have fewer side effects than other chemo mixes. Some hair loss can be expected and minor fatigue is reported, but most patients find their lives go on as normal during treatment. Those with full-time jobs often are able to keep working during their chemotherapy treatments.
If your doctor determines you can’t handle surgery immediately after diagnosis, you may have pre-surgical chemotherapy treatments until you’re strong enough for the surgery.
3. Positive outlook, positive outcome.
Experts cite a positive attitude as one of the most important traits of cancer patients in remission. Often, patients are aided by a support system made up of family, friends and/or organized support groups. Doctors stress maintaining a healthy diet and exercising as much as the disease will allow.
4. Most patients can be put into remission.
Caught early enough, most ovarian cancer cases can be treated into remission. Even later stages, like stage three and four ovarian cancers, can count on some remission period. Late-stage remission, though, have a high incidence rate of relapse. A change of chemotherapy drugs or dosages can put them back into remission.
5. An ovarian cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.
As dire as the stats at the beginning of the article sound, new treatments are being developed in clinical trials daily. Ask your doctor about these trials if you are interested in learning more.
