Raising Awareness Through Education:

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in women and the tenth most common cancer among women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that 22,530 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2019. Although ovarian cancer is relatively rare and accounts for about 2.5 percent of all cancers in women, it is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States.

How is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed? Although we do not have a screening test designed for the general popula-tion, there are women who are considered high-risk based on their family history. These women have either had breast cancer, have two or more close blood relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, have one close relative with breast or ovarian cancer and are of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, or carry a mutation in one of the breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility genes: BRCA1 or BRCA2. These genes are more common in women of Ashkenazi Jewish origin where carrier rates are up to 2%. Being a carrier of one of these genes gives these women a 25-60% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. This is much higher than the 1.5% lifetime risk in the general population.

What are the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer? Ovarian cancer presents with a wide variety of vague and nonspecific symptoms, including the following:

• Bloating, abdominal distention, or discomfort
• Pressure effects on the bladder and rectum
• Constipation
• Vaginal bleeding
• Indigestion and acid reflux 
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Early satiety

Awareness, Education, and Treatment: Ovarian cancer is a very complex disease. The doctors and nurses at Celebration Obstetrics and Gynecology are passionate about raising awareness, increasing education, and helping women navigate their health journey. If you have any questions or concerns about Ovarian Cancer, please give us a call to meet with one of our providers.