ovarian cancer

Silent No More
Submitted by Samantha Baginski, Intern, and Becky Powell, RN, MS, AOCN, Health Educator, Community Cancer Center

varian cancer is a disease that affects 1 in 71 women in the United States. The month of September is dedicated to raising awareness of this cancer and broadening the number of people who understand what it is, and how to recognize its signs and symptoms. Many survivors remember not identifying their own symptoms when they occurred and speak out to this. In hindsight there were signs, little whispers that were easy to ignore. - Blake, Texas My story is not different from the many ovarian cancer patients Ive met yes, I was bloated, fatigued, constipated from time-to-time but none of this seemed unusual for a menopausal woman my age. - Naomi, California What is ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells in the ovaries, which are the reproductive glands found in women. What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer has been described as silent because it has few distinctive symptoms. Many of the signs associated with ovarian cancer can also be found in women without cancer, or may be symptoms of other conditions. Some common symptoms include: Bloating Pelvic and/or abdominal pain Difficulty eating and/or feeling full quickly Frequent and/or urgent urination If any of these symptoms persist for several weeks, or if you are having symptoms twelve or more times a month, and they have never occurred before, you should see a doctor. Can ovarian cancer be prevented? A way to prevent ovarian cancer is not known. However, there are several solutions that can decrease risk according to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. The most effective way discovered so far is taking oral contraceptives. Woman who had taken oral contraceptives for several years had 50 percent lower risk than women who had never used an oral contraceptive. Am I at risk for ovarian cancer? There are some factors that may increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer. According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition these risk factors include:  Older age: Women who are over 40 years old have a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Obesity

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 Undesired infertility: Women who are naturally infertile have a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Personal/Family history of breast or ovarian cancer Hormone Replacement Therapy: Women who have undergone this therapy for five or more years to help alleviate symptoms of menopause are at an increased risk for ovarian cancer. Can I be screened for ovarian cancer? There is not a screening test developed specifically for ovarian cancer. However, there are several other tests you can undergo to help determine if you might have ovarian cancer. These tests include: Blood test CA-125: High levels of the protein CA-125 can indicate that you have ovarian cancer, but it is not 100 percent accurate. Transvaginal Ultrasound: An ultrasound is taken of a womans reproductive organs and bladder. Pelvic Exam: An exam that takes place at a regular check-up in which a doctor feels a womans reproductive organs over her abdomen. It is most effective to do the three tests in combination with one another, as one single test is not definite in diagnosing ovarian cancer. Additionally, a Pap smear does not detect ovarian cancer; it tests for cervical cancer. If you want to be tested for ovarian cancer, consult your doctor to determine the best procedure for you. Ovarian cancer is known as silent, but with the spread of information we can end this silence. For more information, go to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition www.ovarian.org or contact the Community Cancer Center at 309-451-8500.

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September 2013 Bloomington Healthy Cells Magazine Page 17