Types of Women's Cancer

Often called the silent disease because it usually gives no obvious signs or symptoms until well into its later stages, ovarian cancer affects about 24,000 American women each year. Women with a history of ovarian cancer in their family should be carefully monitored by their gynecologists. All women should be aware of the generally vague symptoms that persist and cannot be explained by other causes. Although there is currently no diagnostic method for accurately detecting ovarian cancer in routine exams, physicians recommend annual pelvic and rectal exams, which can sometimes detect ovarian abnormalities.

Symptoms*:

• Enlargement of the abdomen (due to fluid accumulation)
• Stomach discomfort, gas, distention
• Pelvic pressure or lower back pain

*Some women experience no symptoms at all prior to diagnosis

Risk Factors:

• Age (postmenopausal women or those over 60 are more likely to get ovarian cancer)
• Patient history of breast cancer
• Family history of ovarian cancer
• Obesity
• Never pregnant
• Smoking

Treatment

Surgery is the first line of treatment, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Generally, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and lymph nodes are removed, although in early stages only the affected ovary and its adjacent tube and lymph nodes may be removed. The use of several chemotherapy drugs at the same time seems to be most effective. Radiation may be external or internal.