Ovarian Cancer

What is Ovarian Cancer?

The ovaries are two almond shaped organs that form part of the female reproductive system. The role of the ovaries is to produce ova, or eggs, as well as hormones that are involved in the menstrual cycles and fertility. Normally cells grow and multiply in a orderly way, but changed genes cause them to behave abnormally and metastasised and form a growth or tumour. Ovarian cancer is when a group of damaged cells grow and multiply in the ovary and form a malignant tumour.

What causes Ovarian Cancer?

The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown. However, there are a number of risk factors that increase the chance of a women developing ovarian cancer.  These include:

· Age

· Lifestyle factors i.e. Caucasian women in industrialised countries with a higher standard of living, dietary factors such as the consumption of meat, whole milk and animal fat may result in an increase risk (research is inconclusive at present) and increased body mass index

· Having few or no children

· Having started periods at an early age

· Having your first child after the age of 30

· Menopause occurring after the age of 50

· Family history

However 95% of all ovarian cancers occur in women without these risk factors and many women who have risk factors do not develop ovarian cancer.

What are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?

In most cases women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are already in the advanced stages of the disease. Unfortunately early detection results in a significant difference in survival rates. 

Ovarian cancer in its early stages is often described as being a silent disease with many women experiencing no symptoms. If symptoms do present they are often very vague and may include:

· Vague abdominal pain or pressure

· Feeling of abdominal fullness, gas, nausea, indigestion - different to your normal sensations

· Vague abdominal pain or pressure

· Sudden abdominal swelling, weight gain or bloating

· Persistent change in bowel or bladder patterns

· Low backache of cramps

· Abnormal vaginal bleeding

· Pain during intercourse

· Unexplained weight loss

Due to the nature of the above symptoms, many women who experience one or two symptoms do not have cancer. However, it is important that you seek medical advice if the symptoms are unusual or persist

Diagnosis

At present there is no simple or effective screening test for ovarian cancer. In order for a conclusive diagnosis to be made, a tissue biopsy must be taken and then examined under a microscope. Diagnosis however can be assisted by:

· Physical examination i.e. general check-up including internal pelvic examination and potentially a pap smear

· Blood tests: a full blood count maybe done and measure of the blood protein Ca 125 which is often raised in women with ovarian cancer

· Imaging: a chest and/or abdominal x-rays and an ultrasound of the lower abdomen. Ultrasound does not provide a definite diagnosis though. A Cat scan may also be performed to determine whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

· Biopsy: This may be performed during the operation to confirm or exclude the diagnosis.

Treatment

By the time that ovarian cancer is detected it is usually in the advanced stage and has spread to other parts of the body including the pelvis, the surface of the bowel and a large deposit is frequently found in the omentum (a fatty apron that hangs down form the bowel). Small deposits are also regularly found in the internal abdomen.  Surgery involving removal of these tumour deposits as well as follow-up chemotherapy are the primary means of treating the disease.

Ovarian Cancer Statistics

Incidence:

· Ovarian cancer is the 9th most common cancer in Australia

· One in 78 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer before the age of 85

· In 2007, 1,266 Australian women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Projected estimates are for 1,645 cases in 2011

Mortality

· Ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cause of cancer death in Australia

· A total of 848 women died from ovarian cancer in 2007

· The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age. About 81% of all new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2006 were in women 50 years or older

Survival

· The five year relative survival rate for Australian women with ovarian cancer has increased significantly, from 33% in 1982-1987 to 40% in 2000-2006.

Reference:

www.ocrf.com.au

www.ovariancancer.org.au

www..nbcc.org.au

www.aihw.gov.au

For more information

Wesley Corporate Health

Level 2, 46 Edward St

Brisbane  Qld  4000

Phone: 07 3234 2600

Email: info@weshealth.com.au

Heartline (National) 1300 362 787

Disclaimer

This Fact Sheet is provided for your information only and does not replace qualified medical advice. The information provided may not apply to every person or all situations. A medical practitioner should be consulted for all treatment and medication.