Detecting Ovarian Cancer
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Risk Factors
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Genetics can play a role in the development of ovarian cancer. As with breast cancer, the gene mutations BRCA I and II can cause ovarian cancer. However, this is not the only risk factor, and constitutes only 5 to 10 percent of ovarian cancer diagnoses. Other risk factors include hormones. If you have been taking fertility drugs or never had children, you may be at a slightly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Finally, a poor diet can also put you at risk for ovarian cancer (among several other types of cancer).
Early Detection
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Ovarian cancer is often fatal, because it is often detected in its late stages. If found early, however, appropriate surgical and medical action can be taken to remove tumors and combat residual cancer cells. However, early detection is difficult, due to the invasive process by which it can be detected. You cannot find it by a simple pap smear. When you visit your gynecologist, she will feel your abdomen to look for any abnormalities, which include cysts and other benign lesions, as well as potentially malignant tumors. If she feels something, the next step is to use an ultrasound to detect what might be wrong. If something unidentifiable is found, then a biopsy may be done. However, by the time you have a mass large enough to be found by a doctor on a routine abdominal exam, the cancer is often at a more advanced stage. Oftentimes, an ultrasound can detect masses that your doctor might not be able to feel. So, if you expect that you are at risk for developing ovarian cancer, you may be able to ask your insurance company if such a procedure can be covered during your annual visit. If this is not an option, you can ask your gynecologist to do an ultrasound anyway, to rule out your concerns.
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Prognostic Factors
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Again, the most significant prognostic factor with ovarian cancer is how early on it is found. The grade and stage play a significant role, and are often associated with early versus late detection. Another important factor is the overall health of the patient at the time of diagnosis. Therapy varies depending on the histology of the the tumor and the health and age of the patient, but commonly, it includes surgery to de-bulk the tumor(s), followed by aggressive radiation and toxic chemotherapy. Younger, healthier patients often have better prognoses because they are better able to deal with the treatment protocol.
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