Women Encouraged to Watch for Ovarian Cancer Warning Signs
According to a consensus statement developed by the American Cancer Society, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, certain symptoms are more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population. Women who experience these symptoms are encouraged to discuss them with a physician, preferably a gynecologist.
Among U.S. women ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death. It results in more than 15,000 deaths each year.[[1]](http://news.cancerconnect.com/women-encouraged-to-watch-for-ovarian-cancer-warning-signs/#_edn1 "_ednref1")
A factor that contributes to many of these deaths is the tendency of ovarian cancer to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Although screening tests such as mammography for breast cancer and the Pap test for cervical cancer have improved the early detection of those diseases, there are no comparable screening tests for ovarian cancer.
Alerting women to potential symptoms of ovarian cancer may be a partial solution to this problem. Although the ultimate screening goal is to identify ovarian cancer at its earliest stages-before it even produces symptoms-prompt evaluation of symptoms is likely to allow some women to be diagnosed earlier than they would have been otherwise.
Based on previous research, a group of cancer organizations developed a set of symptoms that should alert women to the possibility of ovarian cancer. These symptoms include the following:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Although these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than ovarian cancer, women who experience these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks are encouraged to see a doctor, preferably a gynecologist.[[2]](http://news.cancerconnect.com/women-encouraged-to-watch-for-ovarian-cancer-warning-signs/#_edn2 "_ednref2")
Zenocutuzumab - the first approved systemic therapy for patients with NRG1 fusion–positive NSCLC or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Zenocutuzumab targeted therapy approved for treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer with NRG1 fusions.
Immunotherapy After Chemoradiotherapy Promising in Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Adjuvant therapy with Imfinzi (durvalumab) significantly improved survival outcomes for patients with limited-stage SCLC
Breakthrough in Understanding Tamoxifen's Effectiveness in Breast Cancer: Gut Bacteria Play a Crucial Role
Since tamoxifen is taken orally and travels through the digestive system, variations in patient responses may be connected to the gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria in our intestines that differ significantly from one person to another.
References:
[[1]](http://news.cancerconnect.com/women-encouraged-to-watch-for-ovarian-cancer-warning-signs/#_ednref1 "_edn1") American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2007. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/stt/stt_0.asp (Accessed June 20, 2007).
[[2]](http://news.cancerconnect.com/women-encouraged-to-watch-for-ovarian-cancer-warning-signs/#_ednref2 "_edn2") American Cancer Society. Ovarian cancer has early symptoms. First national consensus on common warning signs. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Ovarian_Cancer_Symptoms_The_Silence_Is_Broken.asp (Accessed June 20, 2007).
Related News:Postmenopausal Hormones Linked with Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer (05/21/2007)
Copyright Ovarian Cancer Information Center on CancerConsultants.com
Copyright © 2018 CancerConnect. All Rights Reserved.
