Ovarian cancer is one of the silent killers among cancers in women. Although, not much publicised, it is a real danger to women because it is diagnosed late in most cases.
Older women, those with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer and those on hormone replacement after menopause seem to have a greater risk of getting this cancer. Infertile women and women with endometriosis are also more likely to get this disease.
In early stages, the cancer usually does not cause any symptoms. Later on many patients experience abdominal bloating, heaviness, pain or distension (swelling). When the tumor becomes very large, it may press on the urinary bladder and cause frequent urination or urgency, or on the rectum and cause constipation. In very advanced cases, weight loss and loss of appetite may occur.
The survival rates among women suffering from ovarian cancer drop drastically as the cancer becomes more and more advanced. Hence it is imperative to diagnose it as early as possible. Unfortunately, the ovaries are placed within the abdominal cavity and hence are not easily accessible to biopsy or other screening techniques.
The best ways to diagnose ovarian cancer are a careful pelvic examination by a gynaecologist, sonography and blood tests for cancer related markers, which is raised in most cases of ovarian cancers. CT scan and MRI provide more information which may be useful for treatment.
Surgery is the first line of treatment and chemotherapy is needed to take care of the residual cancer in many cases. Sometimes radiotherapy is needed, depending on the type of the tumor.
What we offer at GyneGuide:
Ovarian cancer screening as part of the menopause and cancer screening package.