What to know about ovarian cancer and how to prevent it
Canadian-American figure skater Piper Gilles announced earlier this week that she had her left ovary removed after she was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer in January.
Gilles, 31, said she feels “lucky” that her cancer was detected early and hopes disclosing her diagnosis will help raise awareness so other women can get diagnosed.
It’s very difficult to screen for ovarian cancer and early detection often depends on women and their health-care providers paying close attention to symptoms they might otherwise dismiss.
That’s why unlike Gilles, many women don’t get a diagnosis until they are in later stages of the cancer.
According to Ovarian Cancer Canada, common early symptoms can include: — Bloating
— Abdominal or pelvic pain/discomfort — Difficulty eating
— Feeling full more quickly than normal — Urinary habit changes
Age is a risk factor, as women between 50 and 79 are more likely to have ovarian cancer.
Genetics also play a significant role. Genetic mutations, including harmful variants in BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes, increase the risk of both ovarian and breast cancer.
Endometriosis is correlated with certain types of ovarian cancer, but the reason for that is not yet clear, Ovarian Cancer Canada says.
Ovarian cancer is diagnosed in about 3,000 Canadians a year, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
In 2022, ovarian cancer killed about 1,950 people in Canada, the society said.
The five-year survival rate is 44 per cent. It cannot be detected by a Pap smear, which is used to detect potential cervical cancer.
Surgery is usually used to remove the tumour.
It generally requires removing at least one of the ovaries as well as the Fallopian tubes. Often surgeons will do a total hysterectomy, meaning they also remove the uterus.
Chemotherapy and/or radiation are also used in treating ovarian cancer.
There are also medications that some patients take to inhibit new or recurring ovarian cancers or new blood vessels that feed cancer cells.