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RISK FACTORSRISK FACTORSStudies have found the following risk factors for ovarian cancer:Studies have found the following risk factors for ovarian cancer:

Family history of cancerFamily history of cancer:: Women who have a mother, daughter, or sister with Women who have a mother, daughter, or sister with ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease. Also, women with a family ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease. Also, women with a family history of cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum may also have an increased history of cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum may also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.risk of ovarian cancer.

Personal history of cancerPersonal history of cancer:: Women who have had cancer of the breast, uterus, Women who have had cancer of the breast, uterus, colon or rectum have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.colon or rectum have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.

Age over 55Age over 55:: Most women are over age 55 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Most women are over age 55 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Never pregnantNever pregnant:: Older women who have never been pregnant have an increased Older women who have never been pregnant have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.risk of ovarian cancer.

Menopausal hormone therapyMenopausal hormone therapy:: Some studies have suggested that women who take Some studies have suggested that women who take estrogen by itself (estrogen without progesterone) for 10 or more years may have an estrogen by itself (estrogen without progesterone) for 10 or more years may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.increased risk of ovarian cancer.

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SymptomsSymptomsEarly ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms.Early ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms. But, as the But, as the

cancer grows, symptoms may include:cancer grows, symptoms may include: Pressure or pain in the Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs A swollen or bloated abdomenA swollen or bloated abdomen Feeling very tired all the timeFeeling very tired all the time Painful intercoursePainful intercourse Less common symptoms include:Less common symptoms include:

Shortness of breathShortness of breath Feeling the need to urinate oftenFeeling the need to urinate often Unusual vaginal bleeding (heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause)Unusual vaginal bleeding (heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause)

Most often these symptoms are not due to cancer, but only a doctor Most often these symptoms are not due to cancer, but only a doctor can tell for sure. Any woman with these symptoms should tell her can tell for sure. Any woman with these symptoms should tell her doctor.doctor.

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DiagnosisDiagnosisOne or more of the following tests may be done if the symptoms suggest One or more of the following tests may be done if the symptoms suggest

ovarian cancer:ovarian cancer:

Physical examPhysical exam

Pelvic examPelvic exam

Blood testsBlood tests: Your doctor may order blood tests, including CA-125. (a : Your doctor may order blood tests, including CA-125. (a substance found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells and on some normal substance found on the surface of ovarian cancer cells and on some normal tissues). A high CA-125 level could be a sign of cancer or other conditions. tissues). A high CA-125 level could be a sign of cancer or other conditions.

Pelvic UltrasoundPelvic Ultrasound

BiopsyBiopsy

Laparotomy/laparoscopyLaparotomy/laparoscopy

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Can ovarian cancer be prevented?Can ovarian cancer be prevented? Since we do not know the exact cause of OV, Since we do not know the exact cause of OV,

we have not found a way to prevent it we have not found a way to prevent it completely.completely.

The following factors, however, have been found The following factors, however, have been found to be protective:to be protective: Use of birth control pills.Use of birth control pills. Multiparity (having multiple children).Multiparity (having multiple children). Late menarche (the first menstrual period)Late menarche (the first menstrual period) Early menopause. Early menopause.

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THE FINAL WORDS…..THE FINAL WORDS…..

While pap smear is NOT a screening tool for While pap smear is NOT a screening tool for ovarian cancer, the routine pelvic exam ovarian cancer, the routine pelvic exam associated with the pap smear does offer the associated with the pap smear does offer the opportunity for the health care providers to opportunity for the health care providers to assess the ovaries, and, thus, detect any assess the ovaries, and, thus, detect any abnormality at its earliest stage possible.abnormality at its earliest stage possible.

Thank you.Thank you.