DID YOU KNOW…:
The American Cancer Society currently funds 61 research grants totaling nearly $30 million into ovarian cancer. We have funded 292 grants totaling more than $96 million related to ovarian cancer over the past 10 years.
In the past few years, we launched two new professorships into ovarian cancer, funding two of the top experts in this area: a $500,000 Barbara Thomason Ovarian Cancer Professorship to Andrew Berchuck, MD at Duke University Medical School, and a $300,000 early detection fellowship to Beth Karlan, MD, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The American Cancer Society was one of three originating organizations of the first nationwide consensus statement on ovarian cancer symptoms in 2007. This first consensus statement on ovarian cancer symptoms
was created to raise awareness that a certain subset of abdominal and other symptoms are more common in women with ovarian cancer than in women in the general population.
Historically, ovarian
cancer has been called the
"silent killer"
because symptoms often become apparent only when the cancer has spread
and is harder to treat.
However, recent medical studies
show symptoms often do exist for ovarian cancer, even in its early
stages. The most common include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain,
trouble eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms, such as
the need to go urgently or frequently.
Trouble is, these symptoms are
relatively common and associated with a number of different health
problems, from irritable bowel syndrome to urinary tract infections.
They are more likely to be due to other, less serious problems.
But if you have these symptoms
almost daily for more than a few weeks, report them to your health care
professional right away.
When ovarian cancer is found
early, while it is still confined to the ovary, about 93% of patients
live longer than 5 years after diagnosis. Unfortunately, only about 20%
of ovarian cancers are found at this early stage.
See a doctor if you have
persistent symptoms like the ones described above, and get regular
women’s health exams. While most early ovarian tumors are
difficult for even the most skilled doctor to feel during a pelvic
exam, an exam may help identify other cancers or gynecologic
conditions. Women should discuss the need for these exams with their
doctor.
In addition to paying attention
to symptoms and getting regular exams, there are steps women can take
to protect themselves from ovarian cancer:
- Know your family history.
About 10% to 15% of ovarian cancers result from an inherited genetic
tendency to develop the disease. Have candid conversations with your
relatives about the health problems that run in your family (especially
breast, ovarian, and colon cancers), and discuss your family history
with your doctor. You may need closer follow-up, depending on your
situation.
- Eat a healthy diet
to help control weight, since being very overweight (obese) may raise
ovarian cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recommends eating a
variety of healthful foods, with an emphasis on plant sources. Eat
at
least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, as well as several
servings of whole grain foods from plant sources such as breads,
cereals, grain products, rice, pasta, or beans. Limit the intake of red
meat and processed meats.
- Get regular physical
activity as another way to help control your weight. The American
Cancer Society recommends 30 minutes a day, 5 or more days a week.
Forty-five to 60 minutes a day is even better.
- Limit alcohol consumption to
no more than 1 drink per day. Alcohol use is linked to an increased
risk of a certain type of ovarian cancer.
- Don't smoke. Some studies
have linked smoking to one type of ovarian cancer. Smoking also raises
your risk of many other types of cancer, as well as other health
problems. For help quitting, see our
Guide
to Quitting Smoking,
or call
1-800-227-2345.
For more information, see Detailed
Guide: Ovarian Cancer.
Article date: 09/01/2009
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