Ovarian Cancer—What You Should Know

Thousands of women are living with ovarian cancer in Canada. It’s estimated that this year 2,800 Canadian women will be newly diagnosed. Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer for women.
 
Rick Factors

• Age:  your risk increases as you get older, ovarian cancer is more common in women aged 50-79.
• Ethnicity – Jewish women of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) background have a higher risk. French Canadians of certain ancestry may be at increased risk. 
• Family history – your risk is higher if your family has a history of ovarian, breast, endometrial or colorectal cancer.
• Gynecological surgery – your risk is lower if you have had your fallopian tubes and/or ovaries removed.
• Reproductive history – your risk is higher if you have not delivered a child or have had difficulty getting pregnant.
• Oral contraceptives/hormone replacement – your risk is lower if you have used oral contraceptives. Your risk may be higher if you have taken hormone replacement.
• Other factors – your risk may be higher if you have a history of a condition called endometriosis.

 
If you have a family history, it is important that you let your health care provider know.  Ask for a referral to a genetic counsellor.  This is an important step to help you understand the risks and benefits of genetic testing.


Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are often vague and can be mistaken for other things.
Common symptoms include: 
1.     Bloating - increased abdominal size/persistent bloating
2.     Eating - difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
3.     Pain - in pelvic or abdominal areas
4.     Urinary symptoms - urgency or frequency
Occasionally there can be other symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, extreme fatigue or unexplained weight loss. Just because you have the symptoms does not mean you have ovarian cancer.

However, if the symptoms are:

• New – they are not normal for you and may have started in the last year
• Persistent – they have been present for more than 3 weeks
• Frequent – you notice the symptoms happen frequently

…then it is important that you see your health care provider. If you are aware of symptoms and communicate these to your health care provider, it may help you to get diagnosed and treated earlier.
 
 
Early detection is key.
Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future!