Signs of Ovarian Cancer You Might Miss, According to an Oncologist
Although ovarian cancer doesn’t get as much press as breast cancer or even cervical cancer, it’s still a major health concern. In fact, it ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, the highest among any other female reproductive cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. An estimated 1 in 78 people with ovaries will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime, with the majority of cases occurring in people who are 63 years or older.
And if you thought your annual Pap test detects ovarian cancer, think again. As of right now, there is no screening test for ovarian cancer. That, plus the non-specific symptoms (more on that below), can make ovarian cancer difficult to diagnose. That said, when ovarian cancer is detected in its early stages, the five-year survival rate is 93 percent, per the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
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In light of those stats, increasing ovarian cancer awareness is crucial. The more people know about this condition and its symptoms, the better chance we all have of getting early diagnoses and better outcomes overall. And the good news is, it’s working; per the ACS, ovarian cancer diagnoses have been “slowly falling” over the last 20 years and ovarian cancer deaths decreased by more than 3 percent every year from 2016 to 2020, “likely due to fewer women being diagnosed and better treatment.” We talked to some experts about ways to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer, symptoms to look out for, and everything else to know about this disease.
What are the signs of ovarian cancer?
The tricky part is that the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be easy to dismiss, according to Stephanie V. Blank, MD, a gynecological oncologist and professor of gynecologic oncology in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Director of Women’s Health at Mount Sinai Downtown, Chelsea Center. Some of these include bloating, bowel changes, abnormal urination, and pelvic discomfort, she tells SheKnows.
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Most people who menstruate have these symptoms on a regular basis anyway, so it can be especially hard to know if they’re signs of something bigger. Dr. Blank says that if you have a symptom that persists for more than two weeks or if it gets worse, it is worth discussing with a health care provider.
“Because there is not one hallmark symptom, you need a high index of suspicion to make the diagnosis,” Blank explains. “Ovarian cancer is not necessarily at the top of the list of considerations, so oftentimes, patients will have had tests for many other conditions before the diagnosis is made.”
Women with genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer are most at risk, she adds, including women with genetic mutations in some of the genes we know to be associated with breast cancer and ovarian cancer — BRCA1 and BRCA2 as well as several others. For that reason, it’s important to let your doctor know if you have a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
Because there’s no routine screening procedure — like a Pap test or mammogram — it’s especially important that people with ovaries stay mindful of the signs of ovarian cancer. In some instances, it’s possible ovarian cancer could be detected during an annual routine pelvic exam if the OB-GYN feels that the area around the ovary is abnormally swollen or tender.
Doctors can use a transvaginal ultrasound to help find a mass or tumor in or on the ovary, but it can’t tell if the mass is cancerous or benign, according to the ACS. Doctors may also order a blood test that determines the level of CA 125 (a protein produced by ovarian cancer cells), but even that isn’t enough on its own to definitively diagnose ovarian cancer. Some noncancerous conditions of the ovaries, such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, can also elevate CA 125 levels, and not all people with ovarian cancer have high CA 125 levels.
How is ovarian cancer treated, & can it be prevented?
The treatment for ovarian cancer is typically surgery and chemotherapy, Dr. Blank says, adding, “It is extremely important that every woman suspected of having ovarian cancer be evaluated by a gynecologic oncologist to make the decision regarding the order and choice of treatments.”
Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. For instance, Dr. Blank says birth controls can protect against ovarian cancer — as does giving birth. Removing a person’s tubes and ovaries, although extreme, is the most effective way to prevent ovarian cancer, Dr. Blank notes, but is not an option for everyone.
Certain things can increase your risk of getting ovarian cancer, although not all of them are within your control. Getting older, being overweight, having children later in life (or never having a full-term pregnancy), taking hormone therapy after menopause, and having a family history of cancer (especially ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer) can result in a higher chance of getting ovarian cancer, per ACS. If you do have any risk factors, it’s a good idea to share them with your doctor so you can both stay on top of your pelvic health.
And while making efforts to get or stay healthy is important, that doesn’t mean you can avoid ovarian cancer altogether. “Staying fit and eating well are always good lifestyle choices, but even someone who makes perfect lifestyle choices can get cancer,” Dr. Blank says. “It is not caused by something a woman did.”
So keep an eye on your pelvis and if anything seems abnormal for two weeks or more, it’s probably time to see a doctor about it.
Before you go, read about these celebrities opening up about their chronic health issues:
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