Often dubbed the ‘silent killer’ thanks to a lack of clear symptoms, around 7,500 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.
In fact, it is the fifth most common cancer in women after breast, lung, bowel and uterine cancer.
Although the signs of ovarian cancer may be sketchy, there ARE some obvious symptoms and it is vital to be aware of them.
If ovarian cancer is diagnosed at stage 1, a woman has a 90 percent chance of surviving five years or more.
Sadly though, most women are not diagnosed at this early stage and sometimes it can be left so late that the chances of survival drop to a devastating four percent.
What’s even more daunting is that many of the symptoms that could indicate ovarian cancer are also similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), something that many women in the UK experience every month.
The Lady Garden Foundation, a charity that raises awareness of gynecological health, predicts that by 2022, 4,000 women in the UK will die of ovarian cancer.
Most of these women will be over the age of 50, but the disease can affect women of all ages.
Most read in Women’s Health
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Statistics can be scary, but armed with the right knowledge and information, women can help protect themselves and their loved ones.
With March marking Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the UK, we spoke to an expert to separate fact from fiction…
The symptoms
Dr. John Butler is Consultant Gynecological Surgeon Surgeon at The Royal Marsden and Medical Director of The Lady Garden Foundation.
Fortunately, he explains, most women have symptoms that can help achieve an early diagnosis.
“The most common symptoms are abdominal swelling or distention, pelvic or abdominal pain, decreased appetite or faster feeling of fullness, and the need to urinate more frequently.”
Dr. Butler says these symptoms are common and usually don’t mean there’s a problem; however, if they persist after a few weeks or increase, it’s important to get it checked out.
It adds: “Like other cancers in the abdomen, there are other symptoms such as indigestion, change in bowel habits, feeling tired, back pain, unintentional weight loss, shortness of breath, feeling of a new lump or vaginal bleeding. abnormal. ”
PMS or ovarian cancer?
It can be difficult to tell the difference between the two, as the symptoms are very similar.
“Premenstrual syndrome is characterized by physical and psychological symptoms that occur before menstruation and then resolve,” says Dr. Butler.
“The symptoms of ovarian cancer are not related to the menstrual cycle and usually get progressively worse over time.”
He recommends tracking symptoms and seeking medical advice if you’re worried.
Essentially, if your symptoms come and go with your period, it’s probably not a sign of ovarian cancer.
But, as Dr. Butler points out, there are other conditions that these symptoms could indicate, such as endometriosis, so “it’s still important to get checked out,” as they can be treated.
When to see a doctor
It’s important to be aware of and stay in tune with your body, so you can notice any changes that are independent of PMS symptoms you may be experiencing.
Dr. Butler says that if you have any severe symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
“For more subtle symptoms, it’s worth getting checked out if they haven’t resolved within six weeks.”
Risk factor’s
“The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age, and most women are diagnosed after menopause,” says Dr. Butler.
“We are learning more about the genetic causes of ovarian cancer and about 15 percent of patients have an inherited condition that caused their cancer.”
Other factors have also been pointed out.
Cancer Research UK states that ovarian cancer is more common in white women than Asian or black women.
Additionally, cases of ovarian cancer in the UK are highest in women aged 75-79, however cases rise more steeply between the ages of 40-44.
lifestyle habits
According to Cancer Research UK, only 11 percent of ovarian cancer cases are preventable, however Dr Butler explains that like all cancers, a healthy lifestyle, normal weight and avoiding smoking reduce the risk of cancer.
“The two most important things people can do to reduce cancer risk are to stop smoking and maintain a healthy weight,” he reveals.
In fact, previous research has suggested that seven per cent of ovarian cancer cases are caused by being overweight or obese in the UK.
Dr. Butler adds that, in general, it’s important to eat a balanced diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and plenty of fiber along with regular exercise and limit alcohol.
Dr. Butler also says that the combined birth control pill, if taken for five years or more, reduces the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.
“But this doesn’t provide 100 percent protection and if you have symptoms that worry you, you should get checked out.”
treatment options
In positive news, Dr. Butler explains that better outcomes are being seen for ovarian cancer patients.
“Most patients need a combination of surgery and chemotherapy to treat their disease, and as we learn more about the disease, we can tailor treatments to the specific subtype of cancer a patient has.”
The treatment needed may be dictated by the stage at which the cancer is found.
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