Ovarian Cancer
DEFINITION
Ovarian Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal ovarian
cells. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system and
produce an egg each month for fertilisation.
cells. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system and
produce an egg each month for fertilisation.
DESCRIPTION
Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women after
breast, bowel and lung cancers. New cases of Ovarian cancer are
most likely to be diagnosed in women over the age of 65. It may be
more likely in women who have had endometriosis and those who are
overweight. It is more common in those who have never had children.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with a slightly
increased risk of ovarian cancer. This risk continues to increase
slightly the longer HRT is taken but returns to normal once it is
stopped.
breast, bowel and lung cancers. New cases of Ovarian cancer are
most likely to be diagnosed in women over the age of 65. It may be
more likely in women who have had endometriosis and those who are
overweight. It is more common in those who have never had children.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with a slightly
increased risk of ovarian cancer. This risk continues to increase
slightly the longer HRT is taken but returns to normal once it is
stopped.
A woman with two or more relatives from the same side of the family
(ie from either the mother’s or father’s side), affected by
ovarian, or ovarian and breast cancer, the risk for this type of
cancer may be increased. If this applies to you it is important to
make this known to your Doctor.
(ie from either the mother’s or father’s side), affected by
ovarian, or ovarian and breast cancer, the risk for this type of
cancer may be increased. If this applies to you it is important to
make this known to your Doctor.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Until recently it was considered that in the early stages of
Ovarian Cancer there are usually no obvious symptoms. A recent
study involving 1,500 women with Ovarian Cancer indicates that more
that 80 per cent of women experience at least one related early
warning symptom in the year before their diagnosis. The difficulty
is that these are symptoms that healthy women experience commonly
and may not indicate the presence of cancer.
Ovarian Cancer there are usually no obvious symptoms. A recent
study involving 1,500 women with Ovarian Cancer indicates that more
that 80 per cent of women experience at least one related early
warning symptom in the year before their diagnosis. The difficulty
is that these are symptoms that healthy women experience commonly
and may not indicate the presence of cancer.
These symptoms include; abdominal bloating, abdominal or back
pain, appetite loss or feeling full quickly. Other symptoms include
changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss or gain,
indigestion or heartburn and fatigue.
pain, appetite loss or feeling full quickly. Other symptoms include
changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss or gain,
indigestion or heartburn and fatigue.
If a woman develops one or more of these symptoms which are
unusual for her and the symptoms are persistent then they warrant
investigation from a health professional.
unusual for her and the symptoms are persistent then they warrant
investigation from a health professional.
Remember that these symptoms are also common in diseases other
than Ovarian Cancer.
than Ovarian Cancer.
As the tumour grows it can press on and grow into surrounding
structures, producing symptoms that worsen over 2 or 3 weeks, such
as a frequent urge to urinate, incontinence (lack of bladder
control) and constipation. There may also be dull abdominal pain
and bloating or swelling.
structures, producing symptoms that worsen over 2 or 3 weeks, such
as a frequent urge to urinate, incontinence (lack of bladder
control) and constipation. There may also be dull abdominal pain
and bloating or swelling.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
In no way is this information intended to replace the advice
of a medical practitioner. It is important to have unusual symptoms
checked by a Doctor. Always consult your Doctor for diagnosis and
advice. Regular check-ups from your Doctor are an important step in
the prevention of any disease.
of a medical practitioner. It is important to have unusual symptoms
checked by a Doctor. Always consult your Doctor for diagnosis and
advice. Regular check-ups from your Doctor are an important step in
the prevention of any disease.
Diagnosis is usually confirmed using laparoscopy, where a
camera is inserted into the abdomen. A variety of other imaging
techniques can help the Doctor to determine the location and spread
of the Cancer. Your Doctor may refer you to a gynaecologist for
tests, such as a blood test and ultrasound. This is called staging
the cancer. Staging refers to the degree to which the cancer has
spread beyond its original location. The lower the stage, the less
the Cancer has spread. In most cases treatment involves the
surgical removal of as much of the cancer as possible. Higher
staged cancers may also require chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
In later stages of Ovarian Cancer, symptom and pain relief may be
the goal of treatment.
camera is inserted into the abdomen. A variety of other imaging
techniques can help the Doctor to determine the location and spread
of the Cancer. Your Doctor may refer you to a gynaecologist for
tests, such as a blood test and ultrasound. This is called staging
the cancer. Staging refers to the degree to which the cancer has
spread beyond its original location. The lower the stage, the less
the Cancer has spread. In most cases treatment involves the
surgical removal of as much of the cancer as possible. Higher
staged cancers may also require chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
In later stages of Ovarian Cancer, symptom and pain relief may be
the goal of treatment.
DIET HINTS
The European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) is a
long-term, large-scale study of the influence of diet on cancer in
humans. The EPIC results recommend that people lose weight if
overweight or obese and have a diet that is:
long-term, large-scale study of the influence of diet on cancer in
humans. The EPIC results recommend that people lose weight if
overweight or obese and have a diet that is:
- High in fruits and vegetables.
- High in fibre.
- Low in red or processed meats.
- Low in saturated fat.
Evidence suggests that natural substances found in cruciferous
vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and
cabbage may lower overall cancer risk. Other cruciferous vegetables
include rocket, watercress, garden cress, kale, bok choy, radish,
horseradish and wasabi.
vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and
cabbage may lower overall cancer risk. Other cruciferous vegetables
include rocket, watercress, garden cress, kale, bok choy, radish,
horseradish and wasabi.
- For information regarding diet hints during cancer therapy,
please refer to the Cancer – Chemotherapy and Cancer – Radiotherapy
topics on the Healthpoint.
PREVENTION
There is clear scientific evidence that prevention reduces the
risk of Ovarian Cancer. For example, the risk of Ovarian Cancer is
reduced by between 30 to 40 percent in women who have at least one
child. The use of the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) also
reduces the risk of developing Ovarian Cancer by 40 percent. The
contraceptive pill’s protective effects can last for at least 20
years after you stop taking it Tubal ligation is associated with a
30 percent reduction in mortality from Ovarian Cancer.
risk of Ovarian Cancer. For example, the risk of Ovarian Cancer is
reduced by between 30 to 40 percent in women who have at least one
child. The use of the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) also
reduces the risk of developing Ovarian Cancer by 40 percent. The
contraceptive pill’s protective effects can last for at least 20
years after you stop taking it Tubal ligation is associated with a
30 percent reduction in mortality from Ovarian Cancer.
VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS
Always consult your Doctor before taking any dietary
supplements for advice on any possible side effects or drug
interactions. This is particularly important during cancer therapy,
as many chemotherapy drugs act by blocking the effects of certain
vitamins.
supplements for advice on any possible side effects or drug
interactions. This is particularly important during cancer therapy,
as many chemotherapy drugs act by blocking the effects of certain
vitamins.
- Vitamin A and vitamin A derivatives have been found to reduce
the growth of Ovarian Cancer cells in cancers that are resistant to
many cancer treatments. - Vitamin E may protect normal cells from damage during
radiotherapy treatments. - The flavonoid quercetin has been found to reduce the growth
rate of Ovarian Cancer cells. - Substances found in hops have been shown to reduce the
proliferation of Ovarian Cancer cells.
ORGANISATIONS & SUPPORT GROUPS
See the Australian Cancer Society topic on the
Healthpoint.
Healthpoint.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
- Follow the diet hints.
- Quit smoking. Ask your Pharmacist for information and products
designed to help you quit. - Your Pharmacist can offer advice about the side effects of
chemotherapy and radiotherapy and stocks a range of low irritant
skin washes, mouthwashes etc. - Discuss any medications you may be taking with your Pharmacist,
who can advise you about their effects and any potential problems
or side effects. - If dietary intake is inadequate, consider some
supplements. - Some studies show that regular aspirin intake (at least 3 times
per week) may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age
unless specified by a Doctor.
unless specified by a Doctor.