9-23-08

Ovarian Cancer

Earlier diagnosis has been shown to improve survival rates for women with ovarian cancer and clear warning signs now have been identified.

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women and is often not diagnosed until it is in an advanced stage of the disease. Approximately 25,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.  Dr. Gary Johnson, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and chief of the gynecologic oncology division at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, says although no screening tests have been developed, there is recognition of a combination of warning signs.

SOUND BITE:  “Some common symptoms include abdominal bloating, increase in abdominal girth, changes in both bowel and bladder habits, and more specifically some element of involuntary loss of urine, sometimes abdominal or pelvic discomfort or pelvic pain.” 

Dr. Johnson says after ovarian cancer is diagnosed, it is usually treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.  When it is detected early, survival rates have improved in recent years.  He says the risk increases with age.  He explains another risk factor.

SOUND BITE: “Risk factors would include family history and more specifically, for example, if a woman has a first-degree relative, perhaps her mother, perhaps her sister, with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer that certainly would confer some element of risk to her or at a minimum, what we would do is investigate more fully. . .”

Dr. Johnson advises women who have had symptoms for more than a few weeks to see their primary care physician.  They may be referred to a gynecologic oncologist for further evaluation and possible treatment. 

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.