More than Just Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

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When I first heard I had ovarian cancer I didn't know that there were multiple types. I didn't realize that some cancers were on the surface of the ovary , some were in the egg cells and some were on the follicles.  I learned that each of the main types of ovarian cancer had sub-types. Below is a list of the different types of ovarian cancer.

Epithelial Ovarian Cancer ( Forms in the tissue covering the ovary)

Subtypes:

Serous

mucinous

clear cell

endometrioid

transitional cell

Germ Cell Ovarian Cancer ( forms in the egg cells of the ovary)

Teratoma

Mature cystic terotoma

Immature teratoma

Mondermal teratoma

dysgerminoma

yolk sac tumor

embryomal carcinoma

choriocarcinoma

Sex Cord Stromal(forms in the sex cord/ ovarian follicles)

granulosa cell

Thecoma

Sertoli-Leydig

Fibroma

Fibrsarcoma

Sclerosing stromal

Source:John Hopkins Pathology  http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/typesca.cfm

It is important that if you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer you know the exact type. The exact type of cancer you have will help determine the best treatment for you.

Dee

Every day is a Blessing!

You Can Reduce Your Risk

Yesterday’s post listed what increased a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer. Now let’s look at the flip side and list what things can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer

• Use of oral contraceptive
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Bilateral tubal ligation (close the fallopian tubes) and hysterectomy( removal of the uterus)
• Prophylactic Oopherectomy (removal of both ovaries even if there is no sign of cancer) decreased a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by 2/3rds.
• Diet : dietary recommendations are still uncertain with studies unable to confirm results. A healthy diet with vegetables is recommended. By eating a healthy diet you are also reducing your risk for other cancers and heart disease.

 Source:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/detailedguide/ovarian-cancer-risk-factors

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! 

What Are the Risk Factors For Ovarian Cancer

--> Before I list the risk factors for ovarian cancer it is important to know that having a risk factor does not mean you will get the disease. But there are some factors that have been found to increase the likelihood that a women will develop the epithelial ovarian cancer ( the most common type). 

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The average woman’s risk for ovarian cancer in her lifetime is 

1 in 75.

Risk Factors:

Age: The average age of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer is 63 years.

Obesity: Studies have shown a relationship between obesity and ovarian cancer (BMI  of 30)

Reproductive History: Never being pregnant

Estrogen Therapy: Studies show that taking estrogen 5-10 years have an increased risk

Male Hormones: Studies show that women who take male hormones are at a higher risk for Ovarian cancer.

Personal History: Women who have had breast , uterine, colon or rectal cancer have an increase risk for ovarian cancer.

Family History:A family history of breast, ovarian, colorectal cancer ( BRCA1and BRCA2 gene mutations, Lynch syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer)  

PTEN Syndrome: Women with the inherited mutation of the PTEN gene have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Also known as Cowden disease .

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Fertility Drugs: Some studies showed that the use of fertility drug Clomid , increased a woman’s risk for ovarian cancer.

Talc: Women who use talcum powder in the genital area have an increase risk. Please note that since the 70’s talc powder products must be asbestos-free. 

For more information please check this NCI source : http://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovariancancer/detailedguide/ovarian-cancer-risk-factors

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing ! 

I Have Symptoms - Now What?

If you have any of the  symptoms that I mentioned in my post of September  3^rd , you should make an appointment to see a physician, preferably your gynecologist. There is NO screening test for ovarian cancer for the general public. But there are a few tests that your doctor may run if he/she suspects you have ovarian cancer.

At your appointment with the gynecologist you may have a pelvic exam. If you are due for a PAP test your gynecologist may do it at this time too. Remember a PAP test is a screening test for cervical cancer.

In addition to the medical tests she may do, you doctor will ask questions about your personal medical history as well as that of your family.  Be sure to mention to your doctor if anyone in your immediate family (aunts /uncles too) has had breast or ovarian cancer or has Lynch syndrome. About 10 % of ovarian cancers are hereditary. (Tomorrow's post will discuss risk factors.)

If your doctor has concerns during the exam she may do for a trans-vaginal ultrasound.  You can find more info about the transvaginal ultrasound here.  She may also ask you to have blood drawn to test the level of  the ovarian cancer tumor antigen, CA-125. ( I'll provide additional information on the CA-125 test in a future post.)

For more information and diagrams of screening methods please visit : http://www.cancer.gov/types/ovarian/patient/ovarian-screening-pdq#section/_12

My Story / Advice:  I recommend going to the doctor with a small notebook and writing down information your doctor has given you. That way you won't forget  important information and appointments. I used a small pocket-size notebook to keep track of information and to write down any questions I had so that I could remember to ask my doctor when I saw her. 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

 

Wear Teal Day !

-->Today is Wear Teal Day.

When I was first diagnosed in 2005, I didn’t know that the color teal was the awareness color of  ovarian cancer. My wardrobe has changed a lot since then.

In addition to the nine t-shirts I got by walking in various ovarian cancer awareness fundraisers, I own

Three pair of  TEAL earrings

One  TEAL ribbon OWL locket necklace

One TEAL stone ring

Seven TEAL pins

Eight TEAL jelly bracelets

Seven TEAL awareness bracelets

Nine TEAL shirts

Three TEAL shawls

Two teal pocketbooks

And let’s not forget my Teal Toes. 

I’m proud wear Teal today and happy to share what I know about ovarian cancer with others. 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing

Ovarian Cancer - By The Numbers

-->As disturbing as the statistics related to ovarian cancer are I share them here today because it is these numbers that drive my advocacy to raise awareness,  funds for research and support other women with the disease.

Ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in an estimated

21,290

women in 2015 in the US

Between 2008 and 20012

2,960 

women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in NJ.

Ovarian cancer is

1.3 %

of all cancer diagnosis in 2015 in the US 

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In the past 10 years the number of new cases
of ovarian cancer in the US has dropped by

1.1% each year.

In 2012 there were

192,446 

women living with ovarian cancer in the US.

Ovarian cancer will cause the deaths of an estimated

14,180

women in 2015

There has been

0

significant change in ovarian cancer death rates in the past 10 years.

Between 2008 and 2012  ovarian cancer caused the deaths of

2338 

women in NJ. 

The relative 5 year survival rate
for all women with diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the US is  
45.6 %.

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At the time of diagnosis:

15 % of all cases have disease confined to the ovary ( localized) .

19 % of all cases have disease which has spread to the Lymph nodes ( regional)

60 % of all cases have disease which has metastasized. (Distant)

6% if all cases have unstaged disease.

The five-year relative survival rate for women 

with localized disease at diagnosis is 

92.1%

The five-year relative survival rate for women 

with metastasized disease at diagnosis is 

28.3 %.

My Story: When I first heard these statistics I was scared. My gynecologic oncologist told me that statistics are numbers not women. I wanted to be in the part of the number that made it 5 years.  Here I am 10 years later.

I use these stats to make people aware that we need to increase early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and to develop treatments that will provide more late stage women with longer survival

Sources : http://nj.gov/health/ces/documents/report08-12.pdf

--> http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html  

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

YES- There are Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

For years everyone said that ovarian cancer was silent. Then they said ovarian cancer whispered. Today, based on research done by Dr. Goff, we know that Ovarian Cancer has symptoms.

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
• Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often

In addition you might also have these symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Upset stomach or heartburn
• Back pain
• Pain during sex
• Constipation or menstrual changes

If you feel these symptoms every day for more than two weeks please see you gynecologist.

My story: I had an odd abdominal pain. I mentioned the pain to my gynecologist during my annual visit. Thankfully she listened to me and sent me for further tests which lead to my diagnosis.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing