My name is Lyn, and I am taking on my late aunt's mission to spread ovarian cancer awareness. After battling ovarian cancer on and off for four and a half years, she passed away June 12, 2007. Her body could just not fight the leukemia that was suddenly found in her system in May 2007. She was the strongest person and spirit I have, and ever will, encounter.
If you are so willing, please friend request this MySpace site [www.myspace.com/awareness_mission] ... because it is my hope that people who look at your friends list out of curiosity, will see the ribbon, click on it and possibly read (even if a little) about it; and possibly continue to branch off awareness from there. So, please, tell your friends about this site.
Awareness for this cancer is extremely important as its symptoms are so subtle, and there is yet an early detection test (and cure) to be discovered.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is cancer that arises in the ovaries, a pair of female reproductive organs located in the pelvis. The ovaries have two functions: they produce eggs and female hormones (chemicals that control the way certain cells or organs function). Ovarian cancer occurs when the cells in one or both ovaries become abnormal and divide without control or order. Cancer cells can invade and destroy the tissue around them. They can also break away from the tumor and spread (metastasize) to form new tumors in other parts of the body. The exact causes of ovarian cancer are unknown; 90% of the time, it‘s random.
There is more than one type of Ovarian Cancer:
OVARIAN LOW MALIGNANT POTENTIAL TUMOR is a disease in which precancerous cells (cells that may, or are likely to, become cancer) form in the tissue covering the ovary. Ovarian low malignant potential tumor is considered precancerous (or premalignant), a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer. This disease seldom spreads beyond the ovary. When disease is found in one ovary, the other ovary also should be checked carefully for signs of disease.
OVARIAN EPITHELIAL CANCER is one type of cancer that affects the ovary. It is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissue covering the ovaries, located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus grows). Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond.
OVARIAN GERM CELL TUMOR is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the germ (egg) cells of the ovary. Germ cell tumors begin in the reproductive cells (egg or sperm) of the body. Ovarian germ cell tumors usually occur in teenage girls or young women and most often affect just one ovary. Ovarian germ cell tumor is a general name that is used to describe several different types of cancer. The most common ovarian germ cell tumor is called dysgerminoma.
The Basics:
* Pap tests DO NOT detect ovarian cancer
* All women are at risk for ovarian cancer
* Occurs in 1 out of 55 women at any age
* Today, most women are diagnosed when the chance of survival for 5 years is about 25%. Early detection can improve survival rates to over 90%
* Symptoms are subtle, persistent, and usually increase over time
* Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of the gynecologic cancers
* This year, over 23,000 women in the will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and over 16,200 women will die from it.
Symptoms:
* Abdominal Bloating -- #1 symptom, especially if it has intensified over time
* Pain or a feeling of fullness, even after a light meal / cannot eat normally
* Frequent and/or urgent urination
* Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause if you are not using hormonal medicines
* Abnormal vaginal discharge
* Fatigue / decreased energy
* Backache
* Vague but persistent nausea, gas, indigestion, loss of appetite
* Unexplained weight loss or gain
* Unexplained change in bowel habits
* Pain or bleeding during intercourse
* Ongoing pain/cramps in belly, pelvis, or lower back
* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
* Slight fever
* RARE: Small knot in/behind umbilical area which may be painful to touch or painful when coughing
***TAKE ACTION IF ANY OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS LAST MORE THEN 2-3 WEEKS OR INCREASE OVER TIME.***
How to Detect Ovarian Cancer:
No single accurate test exists to detect ovarian cancer. If you are having unexplained or unconfirmed symptoms, ask your doctor for a combination of the following tests:
* Vaginal/rectal pelvic exam -- where the doctor can feel if there is any mass or growth in the abdomen
* Transvaginal Ultrasound (also called SONOGRAM) -- painless test that uses sound waves to check for growths inside the pelvis
* CA125 Blood Test -- CA125 is a substance often found in the blood or urine of a woman with ovarian cancer. However, this test is NOT foolproof since non-cancerous conditions can cause an elevation in the CA125. A CANCER DIAGNOSIS CANNOT BE MADE FROM THIS TEST ALONE.
* CT Scan
* Lower GI Series
* PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
* PET-CT combination scan
IMPORTANT: If any test is positive, consult a GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGIST -- a specialist in treating gynecologic cancers --before having surgery. For referral in your area, call the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation at 1-800-444-4441 or look on the web for a listing of gynecologic oncologists at www.wcn.org (Women’s Health Network).
Common Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer:
* Family or personal history of ovarian, breast or colon cancer
* Infertility
* Increasing age. Ovarian Cancer mosts often affects postmenopausal women
* Starting menstrual cycles before age 12 and going through menopause at an older age. The more menstrual cycles you have, the more risk you have for ovarian cancer
* Genetic mutations in BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 (Women who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have between a 16% and 60% chance of developing ovarian cancer during their lifetime.)
* Ashkenazi Jewish descent -- risk from inheriting genetic mutations in BRCA 1 or BRCA 2
Other Risk Factors:
* High fat diet
* Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) commonly found in PCOS may increase your risk for ovarian cancer
* Never having a baby
* Genital exposure to talc (found in talcum powder)
* Taking estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progestin combination therapy are prescribed more commonly today)
Possible Risk Factors:
More research is needed to confirm if certain other factors can increase a woman's chances of getting ovarian cancer, such as:
* Exposure to asbestos
* A history of endometriosis or ovarian cysts
* Smoking
* Diets high in lactose (a milk sugar), which is found in foods such as milk and ice cream
Ovarian Cancer Risk Reduction:
First, know that Ovarian Cancer cannot be prevented, but there are some ways to possibly reduce your chances of becoming diagnosed with it.
* Use of oral contraceptives (for 5 or more years) - proven to reduce risk, please see blog section.
* Multiple Pregnancy and breast feeding
* Tubal ligation
* Hysterectomy
* Removal of the ovaries (oopherectomy)
Related Links:
www.ovariancancer.org (Ovarian Cancer National Alliance)
www.ovarian.org (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition)
www.ovarian-news.org (International Ovarian Cancer Newsletter - A GREAT SITE)
www.facingourrisk.org (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered - Thank you, Pam)
http://www.icyou.com/topics/ovarian-cancer (An interesting site - Thank you, myspace.com/icyouonline)
http://www.givelovegivelife.org/7199.html (Women's Cancer Research Institute - Thank you, John T.)
http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/gynecolog
ical-cancers/ovarian-cancer/1,0,119,38,26.htm (Ovarian Cancer Discussion Board - Thank you, Dureza)
UK Links:
www.ovarian.org.uk (Ovarian Cancer Action, UK - Thank you, D.F.P. for both)
www.eveappeal.org.uk (The Eve Appeal, Gynaecology Cancer Research Fund)
Between 10% and 20% of ovarian cancer diagnoses are due to heredity or genetic mutations.
Therefore, it is important to know your family history!
Information thanks to www.caringtogetherny.org & www.webmd.com (also affiliated with HealthWise).
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
