September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a month to raise awareness, shine a light on ovarian cancer, and amplify the voices of those in the community who have experienced this disease.

Ovarian cancer is a growth of cells that forms in the ovaries. The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. It is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers.

Types of ovarian cancer include:

• Epithelial ovarian cancer- this type is the most common. It includes several subtypes, such as serous carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma.
• Stromal tumors- this type includes rare tumors that are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than other ovarian cancers.
• Germ cell tumors- these types of rare ovarian cancers tend to occur at a younger age.

When ovarian cancer first develops, the signs and symptoms are subtle, which makes the disease difficult to detect in the early stages (I-II). This is why only 20% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the early stages. Often, symptoms don’t appear until the disease is in its advanced stages (III-IV). When ovarian cancer symptoms do occur, they’re usually attributed to other, more common conditions. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Quickly feeling full when eating
• Weight loss
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Changes in bowel habits
• A frequent need to urinate

Several factors can increase your risk of ovarian cancer, including:

• Older age
• Inherited gene changes
• Family history of ovarian cancer
• Being overweight or obese
• Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy
• Endometriosis
• Age when menstruation started and ended
• Never having been pregnant

There is no sure way to prevent ovarian cancer. However, there may be ways to reduce your risk, including:

• Considering taking birth control pills
• Discussing risk factors with your healthcare provider

Several tests and procedures can be performed to diagnose ovarian cancer. They include:

• A pelvic exam
• Imaging tests
• Blood tests
• Surgery
• Genetic testing

The type of cell where the cancer begins determines the type of ovarian cancer you have and helps your healthcare provider decide on the best treatment options for you.

Once it is confirmed that you have ovarian cancer, your healthcare provider will use the information from your tests and procedures to assign your cancer a stage. The lowest stage, stage I, indicates that the cancer is confined to the ovaries. By stage IV, the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body.

Treatment of ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Other treatments may be used in certain situations.

Surgical operations to remove ovarian cancer include:

• Surgery to remove one ovary
• Surgery to remove both ovaries
• Surgery to remove both ovaries and the uterus
• Surgery for advanced cancer

Chemotherapy is often used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might remain, but it can also be used before surgery.

Other therapy treatments for ovarian cancer can include:

• Targeted therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Immunotherapy

Palliative care is another treatment option as it focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness and can be used while undergoing other aggressive treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy.

To schedule an appointment with an oncologist at our MediSys Health Network Cancer Center, or to learn more about our cancer care program, please call (718) 206-6742.

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.