Frequently Asked Questions About Ovarian Cancer
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about ovarian cancer.
Q: What are the ovaries?
A: The ovaries are female reproductive organs. There is one small, almond-shaped ovary on each side of the uterus. An ovary releases an egg every month in a woman who is still having her period. The ovaries also make most of the female hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. These hormones control the development of certain parts of a female, like the breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also control the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Q: What is ovarian cancer?
A: Ovarian cancer grows from cells within the ovaries. However, not all tumors found in the ovaries are cancerous.
Q: What are the types of ovarian cancer?
A: These are the 3 main types of ovarian cancer.
Q: Who is at risk for ovarian cancer?
A: Certain factors can make one woman more likely to get ovarian cancer than another woman. These are called risk factors. But just because a woman has one or more risk factors does not mean she will get ovarian cancer.
Some risk factors are out of a woman’s control and some risk factors are lifestyle choices, which can be controlled. Here are some of the possible risks for ovarian cancer.
Q: What can a woman do to decrease her risk of ovarian cancer?
A: Every woman should know about her risk factors for ovarian cancer. Some cannot be changed, such as family history and age. But others can be. For instance, taking these actions may decrease a woman’s risk.
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Controlling weight
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Using birth control pills for several years
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Having the fallopian tubes tied, called tubal ligation
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Having the uterus removed, called hysterectomy
Q: What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
A: The symptoms of ovarian cancer in its early stages are often subtle and could be signs of any number of other problems. These are some of the possible symptoms of ovarian cancer.
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Loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, gas, or fullness even after eating small meals
These symptoms are not specific to ovarian cancer; they may be signs of other problems. A woman with these symptoms should see her doctor.
Q: How do doctors diagnose ovarian cancer?
A: There are several ways to find out why a woman is having symptoms like those of ovarian cancer. The doctor will ask about her medical and family history and perform a physical exam, which includes a pelvic exam. The doctor feels the vagina, rectum, and lower abdomen for lumps. The history and physical examination alone cannot tell if a lump is ovarian cancer. Therefore, if a woman has a lump, she will need more tests such as those below. If they suggest that ovarian cancer is present, the doctor may order these tests.
If any of these tests show signs of cancer, it’s likely the doctor will do a surgical biopsy to remove suspicious areas and check for cancer.
Q: What are the treatments for ovarian cancer?
A: The treatments for ovarian cancer depend on the type of cancer and its stage. Surgery is used to treat all stages of ovarian cancer. In early stages of ovarian cancer before it has spread far, surgery may be the only treatment. The doctor may take out all the reproductive organs or in some cases just the ovary. For later stages, when the cancer has spread, doctors use both chemotherapy and surgery. Today, doctors use radiation therapy less often. When they do, it’s mostly to control symptoms.
Q: Should everyone get a second opinion for a diagnosis of ovarian cancer?
A: Many people with cancer get a second opinion from another doctor. There are many reasons to get one. Here are some of those reasons.
In some cases, it may help to have a second doctor review the diagnosis and treatment options before starting treatment. Some health insurance companies even require that a person with cancer seek a second opinion. Many other companies will pay for a second opinion if asked.
Q: How can someone get a second opinion?
A: There are many ways to get a second opinion.
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Consult The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists. This book from the American Board of Medical Specialists lists doctors by state. It gives their specialty, background, and training. It is available at most public libraries. You can also view it online at www.abms.org.
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Seek other options. Check with a local medical society, a nearby hospital, or medical school. Or talk with women in support groups to get names of doctors who can give you a second opinion. Ask other people who’ve had cancer for their recommendations.
Q: What checkups should a woman who has been treated for ovarian cancer have?
A: After treatment for ovarian cancer, women tend to visit the doctor every 3 months for the first year. Then they visit every 6 months. The doctor will likely monitor them with tumor-marker blood tests called CA-125. Sometimes they receive chest X-rays or computed tomography (CT scans). Women should tell their doctors if they have any new symptoms such as abdominal pain or distention, swelling in their legs, or any other health changes.
Q: What are clinical trials?
A: Clinical trials are studies of new kinds of cancer treatments. Doctors use clinical trials to learn how well new types of treatments work and what their side effects are. Promising treatments are ones that work better or have fewer side effects than current types of treatment. People who participate in these studies get to use new treatments before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves them. People who join trials also help researchers learn more about cancer and help future cancer patients.
Here are some resources to learn more about clinical trials.