The Hidden Danger

The Hidden Danger

The Hidden DangerOvarian Cancer

Protect yourself by knowing the signs and by getting regular check-ups.

Joanne Anderson CIS 1020 Word Final Project4/6/2011

The Hidden Danger

Which one of your friends or family members will be diagnosed?

Ovarian cancer is a disease that is impacting many women in our society today and has the potential to ultimately take their lives. It is a fast growing tumor, progressing from early to advanced disease in as short as a one year period. It has a reputation as a silent killer and is only bolstered by its deadly pattern of attack.

An ovary can be in the early stages of cancer with very few symptoms which is one reason it is hard to recognize, thus, the reputation of a silent killer. As the disease progresses into later stages it begins to affect other tissues and organs and the symptoms become more pronounced, but by then the ability to treat has already diminished.

What is ovarian cancer?

(Ovarian Cancer Home Page - National Cancer Institute)The simple explanation of ovarian cancer is that it is a cancer that starts in the ovary and then spreads to other parts of the body. Some forms never spread beyond the ovary and are benign. These are treated by either taking out the entire ovary or the part of the ovary that has the tumor. Other tumors are malignant and require more radical treatment. A complete hysterectomy and possibly radiation and chemotherapy may be required.

Different stages of cancer

Ovarian cancer starts in the ovary and then continues to grow until it spreads into other areas of the body.

What causes ovarian Cancer?

The causes for ovarian cancer are still under investigation and little is known. Some theories suggest that a male hormone (androgen) may be the cause, while other theories suggest that smoking, alcohol, obesity, diet, race and age may all contribute to the risk of getting ovarian cancer. Taking birth control pills or pregnancy, seem to lower the risk for ovarian cancer, while fertility drugs can increase the chances. Women who have had their tubes tied or have had hysterectomies have been found to have a lower risk. Researchers are trying to find the answers, but there is still a long way to go.

The average women probably doesn’t spend much time worrying about whether or not she has ovarian cancer and because it doesn’t have any pronounced symptoms it may go unnoticed until it has become a life threatening problem.

A study in the journal CANCER has found worrying evidence that ovarian cancer is not recognized at a stage early enough for treatment to be effective. (2) The symptoms show between 4 and 36 months before most women are diagnosed. Ovarian cancer has a high rate of success if caught in its early stages, but as the disease progresses it becomes much more difficult to treat.

The main reason that ovarian cancer is not caught in its early stages is due to several causes.

(1) Women fail to take the symptoms seriously and delay going into the doctor.

(2) Doctors are not ordering defined testing specific to ovarian cancer.

Both reasons cause a delay in treatment which allows the tumor sufficient time to grow into other areas of the body.

Statistics show that among women in the United States, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death, after lung and bronchus, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers.(1) Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. (1) Ovarian cancer incidence (new cases) and mortality (deaths) rates are higher among Caucasian women than for women of any other racial group. (1)

Ovarian Cancer Incidence and

Death Count in the United States

Year

Incidence

Death Count

2009

21,500

14,600

2005

19, 842

14,787

2004

20, 069

14,716

2003

20,445

14,657

2002

19,792

14,682

2001

19,719

14,414

2000

19,672

14,060

1999

19,676

13,627

A woman’s lifetime risk of developing invasive ovarian cancer is 1 in 71.A woman’s lifetime risk of dying from invasive ovarian cancer is 1 in 95. (1)

You may not consider the statistics for ovarian cancer to be a great cause for concern unless you are one of the 21,500 that are diagnosed with the disease this year. This disease is treatable if caught early, fatal if its not. There is no need for the number of deaths to be so high. As noted by the chart above, the percentage of deaths from ovarian cancer has not significantly changed in the last decade. What are the solutions to stop the deaths associated with ovarian cancer?

Recognizing signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer

It is critical to recognize symptoms early but most symptoms start out very subtle until the disease has progressed into later stages.

Symptoms may include:

Pelvic or abdominal pain

Bloating

Trouble eating or feeling full

Urinary symptoms such as urgency

Fatigue

Upset stomach

Back pain

Pain during sex

Constipation

Menstrual pain.

Because the symptoms can be associated with many other female problems it is easy not to take the symptoms seriously. If a woman has any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks she should seek medical help from a gynecologist. If there are concerns that these symptoms may be signs of ovarian cancer, women should encourage their doctor to do tests that are appropriate and specific for determining ovarian cancer. The more a woman knows and understands her body the easier it will be for her to recognize there is a problem.

The best way to catch ovarian cancer early is to respond to the symptoms promptly. The routine exams such as pap smears do not find ovarian. If it is to be caught women must be aware of the symptoms in order to seek diagnosis early. Only about 20% of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. When ovarian cancer is found early at a localized stage, about 94% of patients live longer than 5 years after diagnosis. Several large studies are in progress to learn the best ways to find ovarian cancer in its earliest stage.(1)

Ovarian cancer is a very treatable disease.

Education is the key! Women can be educated about the disease and learn how to recognize its early warning signs. As we work towards that goal the death toll will lower and family and friends will be protected from the silent hidden killer.

Page references for specific information in the book

“No Time to Die”

Chapter 1SymptomsPg. 102

Chapter 4Overcoming FearPg. 154

Chapter 7Telling ChildrenPg. 187

Chapter 9Handling ChangesPg. 234

Bibliography

Institute, National Cancer. National Cancer Institute-Comprehensive Cancer information. 5 April 2011 .Ovarian Cancer Home Page - National Cancer Institute. 7 April 2011 .Tilberis, Liz. "No Time to Die." Tilberis, Liz. No Time to Die. Boston, Mass: Little, Brown, 1998.

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