Lupus Awareness and Advocacy: The Personalized Cause Story

Ovarian Cancer Awareness

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a group of cancers that begin in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). Many ovarian cancers are now believed to originate in the fallopian tubes. It is one of the most serious gynecologic cancers because it is often diagnosed after it has spread beyond the ovaries.

Approximately 1 in 78 women will develop ovarian cancer during their lifetime.

Types of ovarian cancer

* Epithelial ovarian cancer (about 90%)
* Most common type
* Usually occurs after menopause
* Includes high-grade serous carcinoma, the most common subtype
* Germ cell tumors
* Rare
* More common in teenagers and younger women
* Often highly treatable
* Sex cord-stromal tumors
* Rare
* May produce hormones
* Often diagnosed earlier

Common symptoms

Ovarian cancer symptoms are often subtle but persistent.

Watch for symptoms occurring more than 12 times per month:

* Persistent bloating
* Pelvic or abdominal pain
* Feeling full quickly while eating
* Difficulty eating
* Increased urinary urgency or frequency
* Abdominal swelling
* Fatigue
* Back pain
* Constipation
* Changes in bowel habits
* Unexplained weight loss or gain
* Pain during intercourse

Symptoms that are new, frequent, and persistent should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Risk factors

Several factors increase risk:

* Age over 50
* Family history of ovarian, breast, pancreatic, or prostate cancer
* Inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations
* Lynch syndrome
* Never having been pregnant
* Endometriosis
* Obesity
* Hormone replacement therapy (long-term estrogen alone)
* Personal history of breast cancer

Factors that may lower risk

Research suggests reduced risk with:

Is there a screening test?

Unfortunately, there is no effective screening test for ovarian cancer in women at average risk.
Routine screening with:

* CA-125 blood testing
* Transvaginal ultrasound

has not been shown to reduce deaths from ovarian cancer in average-risk women.

Women with strong family histories or inherited genetic mutations may benefit from specialized surveillance and genetic counseling.

Diagnosis

Doctors may use:

Pelvic examination
Transvaginal ultrasound
CT scan or MRI
CA-125 blood test
HE4 blood test
Surgery and biopsy (required for definitive diagnosis)

Stages

Stage 0

Confined to the ovaries

Stage I–III

Spread within the pelvis

Stage IV

Spread to abdominal tissues or lymph nodes

Stage IV

Spread to distant organs such as the liver or lungs

Treatment

Treatment depends on cancer type and stage.

Common options include:

Surgery
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy (such as PARP inhibitors)
Bevacizumab (anti-angiogenesis therapy)
Immunotherapy (selected patients)
Clinical trials

Many patients receive a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

Genetic testing

Experts recommend genetic testing for nearly everyone diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer because results can:

* Guide treatment decisions
* Identify eligibility for targeted therapies
* Help family members understand their own cancer risks

Survival

Prognosis depends greatly on the stage at diagnosis.

Approximate 5-year survival rates:

Stage

Approximate Survival

Localized

Over 90%

Regional

About 75%

Distant

About 30%

Prevention

While ovarian cancer cannot always be prevented, you can reduce risk by:

* Knowing your family history
* Discussing genetic testing if cancers run in your family
* Maintaining a healthy weight
* Talking with your healthcare provider about risk-reducing options if you are at high genetic risk