Breast cancer news stories are common, but few stories discuss its deadlier cousin, ovarian cancer. What do you know about ovarian cancer? What do you need to know?

Ovarian cancer can involve the ovaries or related areas of the fallopian tubes or peritoneum—the membrane that lines abdominal organs.

One in 78 women will get ovarian cancer, compared with 1 in 8 for breast cancer. Although it is much less common than breast cancer, ovarian cancer has a much higher mortality rate.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific and are often the same as symptoms caused by other conditions. They frequently don't show up until the disease is advanced, often after it has spread to other organs in the body.

Common complaints include:

• Bloating.

   

• Pelvic or abdominal pain.

   

• Trouble eating or a feeling of fullness.

   

• Changing bowel habits.

   

• Back pain.

   

• Pain during sex.

   

• A swollen belly such that clothing is becoming tight, yet combined with weight loss.

   

It's impossible to predict for certain who will get the disease, but factors that can increase your risk include:

• Your age. The disease is most common in women 55 years and older, though younger women can get it too.

• Your pregnancy history. Women who have never been pregnant or had a full-term pregnancy, or those who had their first full-term pregnancy after age 35, are at higher risk.

• Your weight. Being at an unhealthy weight increases risk.

• Your personal or family medical history. Having a close female relative with ovarian cancer or a family or personal history of breast, uterine or colorectal cancer may be associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

• If you carry certain genes that predispose to an increased likelihood of developing ovarian cancer.

• Your race/ethnicity. White women and women with Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish backgrounds are at higher risk.

Your doctor may order a transvaginal ultrasound or a CT scan.

A blood test can also measure the level of the protein CA-125 in your blood. Though elevated CA-125 levels can signal the presence of ovarian cancer, they can also be a sign of other conditions that are not cancer related. An internal female exam may be helpful.

Surgery and chemotherapy are standard treatments and can help prolong survival. If ovarian cancer is caught early, five-year survival rates increase to about 94%. But because symptoms can be vague, early diagnosis is often difficult. If you are experiencing uncomfortable, persistent symptoms, even if they're vague, or if you have risk factors for the disease, you should schedule an appointment with your women’s health provider.

Watson Clinic Gynecologic Oncologist Dr. Richard Cardosi specializes in the comprehensive treatment of gynecologic cancer, and the use of minimally-invasive robotic surgical technologies. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 863-680-7578 or visit WatsonClinic.com/Cardosi.