The threat of ovarian cancer

I am always moved when someone utters that they will remember a particular experience or event for the rest of their lives. However, I imagine that many of the experiences or people that we remember, we had no idea of the impact they had on us at the time we met them.

One such person in my life was Bev. She was a patient in one of the hospitals where I worked during my medical training. It was my responsibility to round on her daily when I was working on her ward. After an extended stay in the hospital, Bev died. She had ovarian cancer. Although I knew very little about Bev, I remember her pleasant disposition, despite her life circumstances.

Years later, I was at the hospital bedside of the mother of my dear friend. She was a remarkable woman and she too lost her battle with ovarian cancer. However, only after she bravely underwent treatment which added valuable years to her life. Perhaps I remember Bev because, like my friend's mother, she fought her disease.

Late diagnosis

Despite the fact that ovarian cancer accounts for only three per cent of cancers in American women, it is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women. This is due, in a large part, to the fact that it is often diagnosed after it has started to spread. A woman can develop ovarian cancer at any age, but women older than 50 are most often affected.

There is currently no effective screening method for ovarian cancer but there are specific factors that place a woman at a higher risk for the disease and strategies that she can use to lower her risk. Factors that increase her risk include if she had children at an older age or has not had any children, has a family history of ovarian cancer, has a high-fat diet, started her menses at an early age or had menopause at an older age. However, strategies that she can use to reduce her risks include having children, breastfeeding for at least 18 months, having a low-fat diet, using oral contraceptive pills and having a tubal ligation.

Symptoms of bloating and pain

Although difficult, it is still possible to detect ovarian cancer at an early stage and significantly improve a woman's chance of surviving this disease. If a woman is experiencing persistent symptoms of bloating, pain in her abdomen or pelvis, urinary urgency or frequency, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, she should see her gynaecologist for a thorough evaluation. Women with even early ovarian cancer can have these symptoms. The evaluation is likely to include a pelvic examination, an ultrasound and a CA125 level check. CA125 is a type of protein found in the blood. It is sometimes useful in monitoring the treatment of ovarian cancer.

If a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, her treatment will involve surgery and chemotherapy. Although a cure is not guaranteed, the appropriate treatment can extend her life. Sometimes even with a difficult disease, it can be worth the fight.

Dr Monique Rainford is a consulting obstetrician and gynaecologist; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.