Ovarian cancer occurs when abnormal cell growth occurs in or around the ovaries. This rare but life-threatening disease is the fifth leading cancer death in women. It is crucial to recognize the risk factors, know who should get BRCA testing, and take the necessary actions to help reduce your risk of ovarian cancer.
Which Client Has the Highest Risk of Ovarian Cancer?
You will have the highest risk of ovarian cancer if you have been diagnosed with or have a family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer. If anyone on your mother or father’s side has had any of these diseases, you may be at a higher risk of developing these cancers.
Furthermore, having a family cancer syndrome such as Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) increases your risk of ovarian cancer. This condition occurs when there are mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Mutations found in these genes increase the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer sometime in her life. Most ovarian cancers that are inherited genetically result from the mutations in these two genes.
You can also be at high risk for ovarian cancer if you had children later on in your life (after age 35) or never had a full-term pregnancy. In addition, the use of hormone therapy after menopause or fertility treatment has been linked to ovarian cancer. Since most ovarian cancer develops after menopause, you would most likely develop this disease when you are older. Your weight and whether or not you smoke are also considering factors.
Other factors are currently unclear in whether or not they directly affect the development of ovarian cancer. Androgens (male hormones), talcum powder, and a high vegetable or low-fat diet appear to have some links to ovarian cancer, but the results still largely remain inconclusive. Please note that further research needs to be done to determine if these are true, proven risk factors for ovarian cancer.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer can be particularly life-threatening because there are little to no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Even when they appear later on after the cancer has advanced, the symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions that aren’t life-threatening. It’s essential to be aware and mindful of the signs so you can seek medical help and identify ovarian cancer as early on as possible. Common symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvis or abdomen
- Bloating
- Constipation or upset stomach
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Changes in menstruation
- Weight loss
- Pain during sex
Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
Treatment of ovarian cancer can depend on multiple factors, such as the type of ovarian cancer, the stage of cancer, or your overall health. The most common method of treatment is to remove the malignant tumor on the ovary surgically. Sometimes, further treatment is needed before or after the surgery in systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy. Taking part in a clinical trial is another potential treatment option.
Prevention of Ovarian Cancer
Some risk factors of this disease, such as family history, cannot be changed. However, there are other things that you can do to help prevent ovarian cancer. Carrying a child to full-term and breastfeeding your baby before the age of 26 can significantly reduce the risk of the disease. The danger then continues to lower with each additional full-term pregnancy.
On the other hand, birth control can assist in the prevention of ovarian cancer. Oral contraceptives such as the birth control pill have been found to reduce a woman’s risk of contracting the disease, especially when the birth control is taken for an extended period of time. The longer the birth control is taken, the lower the risk of ovarian cancer becomes.
Surgical forms of birth control, such as tubal litigation (getting your tubes tied) or a hysterectomy (removing your uterus), could also help reduce your risk. A hysterectomy can lower the chances of a woman getting ovarian cancer by about one-third. It’s important to note that although these preventative measures may reduce your risk of ovarian cancer, doing them does not mean that you can’t develop ovarian cancer at some point in your life. They lower the risk but don’t eliminate the threat.
Genetic Testing for Cancer Predisposition
A genetic test cannot knowingly confirm that you will develop ovarian cancer or other types of cancer. Instead, it will let you know if you and your family are more at risk or predisposed to developing cancer. This simple DNA test (gathered with blood or saliva) will identify any mutations found in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. While it may be frightening to do this genetic testing, knowing your cancer predisposition would allow you to tell if ovarian cancer is something you need to be more mindful of.
According to the National Cancer Institute, about 44% of women with the BRCA1 mutation and about 17% with the BRCA2 mutation will develop ovarian cancer before they’re 80. Ashkenazi Jewish women specifically have a much higher risk of having a BRCA mutation and developing ovarian cancer. In contrast, women in the general population who do not have these mutations have a less than two percent chance of developing this disease in their lifetime.
Who Should Get BRCA Testing?
If you believe that you may be at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer due to family history, you should get a BRCA test. The results of this test will help you predict your risk of ovarian cancer and assist you in making important decisions about your health care. Additionally, your experience could inform you about your family’s genetic history and possibly prompt other women in your life to get BRCA testing themselves.
Being educated and aware of the risk factors of ovarian cancer could save the life of a woman who is very dear to you, such as your mother, sister, or daughter. Don’t wait to be tested—be prepared ahead of time for yourself and women everywhere. Hopefully, this information has answered some of your questions, eased some of your concerns, and shown you the options you have regarding ovarian cancer. This disease doesn’t have to be scary.
With the proper education and medical care from Dr. Krinsky and his knowledgeable, compassionate team, you will be aware and informed about your risk of ovarian cancer. We are experts in women’s reproductive health that are here to help and serve you every step of the way. If you would like to undergo testing or have further questions about ovarian cancer risk factors, please contact us today or visit our website to schedule an appointment.
We look forward to hearing from you.
