Ovarian cancer is the most unpleasant of all the women’s cancer. And that’s because it sneaks up on women without them having any symptom and what’s more, it kills very fast. The disease has a five-year survival rate of just under 46%, meanwhile breast cancer has a 90% survival rate. Endometrial cancer has over 80% and nearly 70% for cervical cancer.
Even the 5-year survival rate depends on how early the cancer was discovered, the Australian Cancer Council says that if the cancer is treated when it is still confined to the ovaries, 93% patients will be alive in five years. “If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissue or organs in the pelvis, this drops to 39%, and if it has spread more distantly, 30%,” the site says.
Here are 4 things you need to know about the ovarian cancer report;
1. The term “ovarian cancer” is a misnomer
The disease is a combination of different cancer all of which have different tumour types and not all the 3 start from the ovary but eventually spread to the ovary. It’s unknown to researchers how they develop and progress and their main priority is understanding the most deadly and common type of ovarian cancer known as HGSC.
2. Ovarian cancer is called a “silent killer” but does have symptoms
Ovarian cancer does have symptoms but the symptom is not obvious which is why most women don’t find out until it’s at the advanced stages by which time their survival rate will be low. Abdominal pain, bloating, pain during intercourse and irregular menstruation are some of the symptoms women usually notice. Either ways, any abnormality should not be left unchecked medically.
3. There are disturbing and significant racial disparities
In the 5-year survival rate, although the general survival rate is 46%, black women’s survival rate is even lower because a little more than one-third of black women survive for 5 years.
4) More women need genetic testing
Women with the BRCA1 gene (increases a woman’s risk of breast and ovarian cancers ) should be undergoing testing and counseling. Meanwhile, women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer should have genetic testing to help map treatment decisions. Their relatives should also be tested and if it’s not in their family history, other factors such as hormonal, behavioural and environmental factors, should be assessed to prevent such occurrence in a family.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
Here are the common symptoms of cancer according to the Australian Cancer Council. There may be no symptoms or symptoms may be non-specific and include:
- abdominal bloating
- difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- frequent or urgent urination
- back, abdominal or pelvic pain
- constipation
- menstrual irregularities
- fatigue
- indigestion
- pain during sexual intercourse.
The chances of survival increases if the patient gets good care. And what is good care?
- Being treated by renowned gynaecologic oncologists
- Receiving treatment at a high-quality hospital or cancer centre.
- Use of early detection methods which goes beyond current imaging techniques, (because they aren’t reliable in finding small early-stage lesions) urgently needed.
If you feel there might be something wrong, visit a doctor as soon as possible. They may suggest several tests or scans to look for cysts, tumours or other changes.
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