Tips for staying fit: Don’t wait until it’s too late to get screened for ovarian cancer

Some cancers of the female reproductive system have obvious signs or early warning signs. In uterine cancer, bleeding occurs after menopause. Cervical cancer is a pap smear that shows abnormal cells. Ovarian cancer, the gland that produces eggs and makes the hormone estrogen and progesterone, often has no obvious symptoms or early warning signs. In the abdominal cavity, a tumor can grow undetected for years, and cancer cells can silently spread through the abdominal cavity fluid in the abdominal cavity.

A woman’s reproductive system has two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. Your ovaries are about the size of an almond. They produce eggs (ova) and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

In women whose ovarian cancer was detected early and treated while it was still confined to the ovaries, the five-year survival rate was 93%. Unfortunately, 80% of women in the United States who are newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year already have cancer that has spread to other parts of their bodies. These women had a five-year survival rate of only 20 to 30%.

Every woman should determine her risk of ovarian cancer. You should pay attention to the subtle, easily overlooked warning signs of ovarian cancer:

abdominal swelling or bloating

pelvic pressure or abdominal pain

Rapid feeling of fullness when eating

Urgent or frequent urination

Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation

All of these signs can be caused by irritable bowel syndrome or urinary incontinence. These signs are more likely to indicate ovarian cancer if your symptoms include:

Symptoms appear within the past year

Are severe and occur almost daily

Lasts longer than a few weeks

For every 100 women who inherit a mutated form of the genes linked to breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2, 60 of them are likely to develop ovarian cancer, depending on the specific mutation. You are also at higher risk if:

Your mother, sister or daughter had ovarian cancer

Her grandmother aunt had ovarian or breast cancer

You have a personal history of breast cancer diagnosed before menopause

Any relative who has had ovarian cancer

If you’re at high risk, you need to be proactive and talk to your doctor to get a plan to reduce your risk and ensure early detection. Get genetic advice. This consultation will present your family genetic history for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to determine if genetic testing is needed. Genetic counseling is available at most university cancer centers.

You’ll also want to have a frequent screening test at least once a year:

A pelvic exam in which the doctor manually examines the ovaries and uterus

Transvaginal ultrasound, in which the probe is inserted into the vagina to look for ovarian tumors

Blood test for CA-125, a protein made by ovarian cancer cells. This test detects about half of early-stage ovarian cancer and about 80% when used with a symptom questionnaire.

A barium enema can be ordered. A barium enema is a test to determine if the cancer has spread to the colon or rectum. A colonoscopy is usually performed instead.

An X-ray may be done to determine if ovarian cancer has spread (metastasized) to the lungs.

Laparoscopy can help doctors plan your surgery or other treatments and can confirm the stage (how far the tumor has spread) of the cancer. Physicians can manipulate small instruments through the laparoscopic incision(s) to perform biopsies.

If any of these test results are suspicious, your doctor will order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan.

Even if you are not at high risk, your chances of developing ovarian cancer may be above average. Your risk increases with the following factors:

Age: 2/3 of patients with ovarian cancer are 55 years or older

Menstrual history: Ovulation increases ovarian risk. If you started menstruating before age 12 and/or menopause after age 55, your risk is greater.

No history of oral contraceptive use: The pill prevents ovulation, so women who have been taking oral contraceptives for at least two years have a lower risk.

History of Infertility: This association may be due to increased ovulation and/or decreased progesterone.

History of endometriosis (overgrowth of tissue lining the uterus): The link is unclear, but may be due to increased inflammation.

The more of these risk factors you have, the more important it is to have annual gynecological examinations. Also, ask your doctor if a CA 125 blood test and ultrasound are necessary for you.