Fit to Post HealthOften feel bloated? It could be ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Singaporean women. It’s the second most common female genital tract cancer (after endometrial cancer), averaging about 317 cases annually, according to the Singapore Cancer Registry 2008-2012.
Dr Cindy Pang, a consultant with the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group, shares what every woman needs to know when it comes to ovarian cancer.
“Although a woman’s chance of getting ovarian cancer may not seem very alarming – about 1 in 71 – up to 80 per cent of cases are only diagnosed at an advanced stage due to a lack of early symptoms,” says Dr Pang.
She adds, “Diagnosing ovarian cancer at an early stage is crucial as it is associated with a cure rate of up to 90 per cent. However, once the disease has spread beyond the ovary, the 5-year survival rate drops to as low as 20 to 25 per cent (for stage 4).”
Causes of ovarian cancer
Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the womb, which produce eggs and female hormones during a woman’s reproductive life. Ovarian cancer occurs when ovarian cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled and produce tumours in one or both ovaries.
“One in 10 ovarian cancers is caused by an inherited faulty gene. Your risk of getting the disease is increased four-fold if your sister or mother has it. Furthermore, ovarian cancer is known to run in families with a history of breast, uterine and colon (colorectal) cancers. We have means to test for such mutations to help counsel patients on prevention,” says Dr Pang.
Related article: Choosing the right breast cancer treatment is one of the toughest decisions any woman can make. Get all the facts here
Ovarian cancer symptoms
Ovarian cancer symptoms (listed below) have three characteristics:
FREQUENT - they usually happen more than 12 times a month (three times per week)
PERSISTENT - they don't go away
NEW TO THE PATIENT - they've started in recent months or weeks
They include the following:
Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain
Increased abdominal size / persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
Difficulty in eating, and feeling full quickly
Urinary symptoms (urgency / frequency)
Related article: Sex can be painful for some. If you’re a woman who experiences persistent pain during intercourse, you’ll want to read this
Risk factors for ovarian cancer
Factors that put you at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer include:
Inherited gene mutations – Having an inherited mutation in genes called breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA 1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA 2), which are linked to about 5 to 10 per cent of ovarian cancers.
Age – Ovarian cancer tends to develop after menopause, but younger women can get it too.
Childbearing status – Your risk increases if you’ve never had children or been pregnant.
Having other cancers – If you or a first-degree relative (mother, daughter, sister) have had breast cancer, colon (colorectal) cancer or cancer of the uterus (womb), your risk of getting ovarian cancer may increase.
Obesity in early adulthood – Women obese at the age of 18 have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer before menopause.
Long use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – Use of HRT for five or more years has been shown to significantly increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Related article: What steps can you take to prevent ovarian cancer, the deadliest of gynaecological cancers?
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By Alvin Chumari for HealthXchange.com.sg.
Health Xchange's articles are meant for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional surgical, medical or health advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.
