1. http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
14 Things Ob-Gyns Desperately
Wish You Knew About Ovarian
Cancer
The early symptoms of ovarian cancer are easily missed, so
getting educated is the best thing you can do to protect
yourself!
BY CHARLOTTE HILTON ANDERSEN
View as Slideshow
358SHARES
Ovarian cancer is often mistaken for stomach problems
ISTOCK/CHAMPJA
"Early symptoms of ovarian cancer tend to be subtle. Bloating, constipation, stomach pain, irregular
bleeding, pelvic pressure, and even a sensation of 'feeling full' after eating little are all early signs
but women often ignore these, writing them off as gastrointestinal problems, or try to self-treat rather
than seeking medical attention. —Nicole Williams, MD, of The Gynecology Institute of
Chicago Reader’s Digest is working with Stand Up to Cancer, an initiative that funds
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Birth control pills and babies are your friends
ISTOCK/RYAN LANE
"Some of the biggest risk factors for ovarian cancer are associated with how often you ovulate. The
more you ovulate, the more at risk you are for ovarian cancer. So women who have have never had a
child, never used the birth control pills, started menstruating early, and/or experienced menopause after
the age of 55 are at a higher risk and should have more frequent check-ups." —Sherry Ross, MD,
women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA (These are
other cancer symptoms women always ignore.)
There is no good test for detecting ovarian cancer
ISTOCK/JIAN WANG
"When it comes to ovarian cancer, unfortunately there's no reliable universal screening method (like
the Pap test is for cervical cancer) and the symptoms can be vague and confused with many other
illnesses. The best approach is to have a thorough yearly exam, which may include a pelvic ultrasound
to better evaluate the ovaries for any abnormalities. Furthermore, women with a family history of either
breast or ovarian cancer should discuss genetic testing to better understand their chances of developing
these cancers. If a woman has a genetic predisposition for these cancers, there are prophylactic
procedures that can greatly reduce the chances of getting these cancers and increased surveillance can
be instituted. As with all cancers, early detection is always best." —Russell Bartels, MD, medical
director at the Scottsdale Center for Women’s Health

2. http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
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Ovarian cancer is rare but deadly
ISTOCK/KUNCHIT2512
"The American Cancer Society estimates that in the United States in 2016 about 22,280 women will get
a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer. More than half of these—about 14,240 of our mothers, sisters,
aunts, daughters, neighbors, co-workers and friends—will die of the disease. Ovarian cancer, though a
relatively rare cancer, ranks fifth in cancer deaths of women." —Crystal Moore, MD, PhD, FCAP,
an anatomic and clinical pathologist in Virginia
You can help your family
ISTOCK/DBSTUDIO
"Because ovarian cancer can be hereditary all women with ovarian cancer should have genetic
testing. If you have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, encourage all your first-degree relatives (like
sisters or daughters) to have their genetic testing done. Through genetic testing we can prevent up to 20
percent of all ovarian cancer cases today by identifying those who are at a high risk." —Douglas A.
Levine, MD, director of gynecologic oncology at the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center
at NYU Langone Medical Center
It's not an automatic death sentence
ISTOCK/ANDRESR
"Many people think that we are not making progress in our fight against ovarian cancer but we
are. Over the past 30 years treatments have gotten much more effective and are better tolerated.
Nowadays women are living longer and better lives. We have a lot of work still to do, but we are
making headway against this very aggressive disease. " —Douglas A. Levine, MD, director of
gynecologic oncology at the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone
Medical Center (These are21 reassuring facts about cancer, according to cancer scientists and
researchers.)
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It's linked to colon cancer
ISTOCK/STURTI
"Recent research has shown that a family history of colon cancer could put you at risk for an increased
risk of both ovarian and uterine cancer. It's important to seek genetic counseling and talk to your
doctor if you have a family history of these cancers." —Nicole Williams, MD
Don't underestimate the power of exercise and a healthy diet
ISTOCK/JACOB AMMENTORP LUND
"Overall worrying about ovarian cancer should be low on your list of worries. It is a scary disease but
focusing on staying healthy through proper diet and exercise will not only lower your risk of getting
ovarian cancer but it can help lower the risk of getting all cancer and protect you from heart disease,
which is the leading cause of death in women in the United States." —Sarah Yamaguchi, MD, Good
Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, California
Ovarian cancer is often not caught until it's at stage 3
ISTOCK/CHAMPJA

3. http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
"Because of where the ovaries are located in the abdomen and the fact there are no effective screening
tests to diagnose ovarian cancer at an earlier stage, it is often not caught until a late stage in the disease.
In fact, ovarian cancer is usually not symptomatic until the ovarian mass is large or until other organs
are affected. It is important for women to be aware of symptoms of ovarian cancer, including
abdominal fullness or bloating, early satiety (feeling full quickly when eating), and urinary complaints.
While none of these are ovarian-specific, they are worrisome and warrant an evaluation." —Rebecca
Phaeton, MD, assistant professor of gynecologic oncology at Penn State Health Milton S.
Hershey Medical Center
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This is why your yearly gynecology exam is so important
ISTOCK/PAMELA MOORE
"Symptoms of early-stage ovarian cancer are commonly overlooked. In fact, a survey by Genentech
and the Foundation for Women’s Cancers found 76 percent of women are not confident they could
even identify symptoms of ovarian cancer. It is critical for women to have an annual visit to the doctor
and discuss any and all symptoms they may be experiencing, particularly if those symptoms are
persistent or a change from the norm." —Sharyn N. Lewin, MD, medical director, department of
gynecologic oncology, Holy Name Medical Center
Sometimes a burp isn't just a burp
ISTOCK/CHAMPJA
"The high death rate of ovarian cancer is due, at least in part, to the vague, nonspecific symptoms that
are experienced in the early stages. Bloating, pelvic, or abdominal pain and urinary symptoms are often
the chief complaints. My sister, who passed away from the illness, primarily complained of painful gas.
She began to try to burp or pass gas no matter where we were as it gave her such relief that social
norms became an afterthought. Yet cancer would be very low on most physicians’ list of
possibilities for a woman complaining of belching and flatulence. This is why if you feel something is
wrong, it's important to be insistent and persistent in advocating for your health." —Crystal Moore,
MD, PhD, FCAP
You need to see a specialist
ISTOCK/CATHY YEULET
"If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, ask to be referred to a specialist. Studies show that seeing an
ovarian cancer specialist (such as a gynecologic oncologist) leads to significantly better survival and
outcomes. In a recent publication this year with nearly 8,000 women, less than half received optimal
surgery and chemotherapy. There may be many reasons for this, but I think a big one is the lack of
awareness that experts exist and seeing one early can make a big, big difference." —Robert Wenham,
MD, MS, FACOG, FACS, interim chair and director of research in gynecologic oncology at
the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida
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Consider this one more reason to maintain a healthy weight
ISTOCK/DIRIMA
"Heredity is not destiny. Only about 10 percent of ovarian cases are due to genetic mutations, which
means 90 percent of ovarian cancer cases are preventable. And even in that 10 percent of cases that are
"hereditary" the risk can be significantly reduced by lifestyle choices which are 100 percent under your

4. http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
control. Because obesity is a major risk factor, losing weight can help protect you." —Steve Vasilev,
MD
You have options besides surgery
ISTOCK/SOMKKU
"Surgery is the mainstay of initial treatment but all newly diagnosed patients with ovarian cancer
should see a gynecologic oncologist to determine what treatment plan is best for them. For some,
biological or medical treatments might be used prior or in addition to having surgery." —Douglas A.
Levine, MD
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