The Vicki Welsh Fund - Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

Please read through this information to learn more about the symptoms and risk factors of
ovarian cancer. Also, download our brochure "What Every Woman Need s to Know ....
Fighting Ovarian Cancer Through Awareness" and share this information with the important
women in your life.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Most common symptoms:

Bloating, abdominal pressure and/or discomfort
Lower abdominal and/or pelvic pain
Frequent and/or urgent urination (in absence of an infection)
Feeling full quickly and/or difficulty eating

Additional possible symptoms:

Vague, but persistent gastrointestinal upsets (gas, nausea, indigestion)
Change in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea)
Abnormal bleeding, pain during intercourse
Unusual fatigue, shortness of breath
Unexpected weight loss or gain

Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect in its earlier stages. Symptoms are often associated with
the location of the tumor and its impact on the surrounding organs. They tend to be non-
specific and can mimic other conditions.

How is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?
Experts recommend a combination of a pelvic/rectal exam, a trans-vaginal ultrasound and a
CA125 blood test.

Pelvic and rectal examination:

The pelvic and rectal examination includes feeling the ovaries and the uterus for any
abnormalities in their shape or size.

Transvaginal Ultrasound:

Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to create pictures.
A trans-vaginal ultrasound is performed with a small instrument placed into the vagina.

CA125 Blood Test:

The CA125 blood test is used to measure the level of cancer antigen 125, a
substance in your blood, that can increase when ovarian cancer is present.
However, because the CA125 level can be elevated by other conditions, and is not
always increased in ovarian cancer patients, it is not an effective screening tool.
Most doctors use the CA125 after the diagnosis of ovarian cancer has been surgically
confirmed, as it can be an indicator of persistent or recurrent disease.

What are the Risk Factors?
Age:

Can occur at any age but women over 40, and especially post-menopausal women,
are at higher risk.

Obesity:

The American Cancer Society states that the risk is increased by 50% in the
heaviest women.

Reproductive History:

Women who started menstruating before the age of 12.
Uninterrupted ovulation due to never being pregnant or never using birth control pills.
Women who had their first child after the age of 30.
Women who went through menopause after the age of 50.

Personal or Family History of Breast, Ovarian, Endometrial, Prostate or Colorectal
Cancer:

About 10% of ovarian cancers result from an inherited tendency to develop it.
You have an increased risk if your mother, sister, or daughter had ovarian cancer.
The younger your relative was when she developed ovarian cancer, the higher your
risk.
You can inherit an increased risk for ovarian cancer from relatives on your mother or
father's side of the family.
If you have had breast cancer, you are at a higher risk.
If there is a family history of cancer caused by an inherited mutation of the breast
cancer gene BRCA1 or BRCA2, you have a very high risk.
A mutation leading to inherited colorectal cancer can increase your risk.
Genetic Testing can identify inherited gene mutations that cause familial epithelial
cancer.

Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer or Syndrome:

Often called HNPCC or Lynch syndrome, it is a type of inherited cancer of the
digestive tract. Women with this disease also have an increased risk.

Being of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish Heritage:

Ashkenazi Jewish heritage can place you in a group with higher rates of the genetic
mutations for breast and ovarian cancer.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy:

Using estrogen replacement therapy alone (not combined with progesterone) after
menopause may increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Talcum Powder:

Some studies suggest a slight increase of risk in women who used talc on the genital
area prior to 20 years ago when talcum powder contained asbestos, a known
carcinogenic.

Primary Peritoneal Cancer:

A woman who has had her ovaries removed can still get ovarian cancer.
The origin of the cells of the ovaries and the peritoneum, which is the lining of the
pelvic and abdominal area, are identical; therefore, primary peritoneal cancer is
diagnosed, staged and treated the same as ovarian cancer.
Primary peritoneal cancer accounts for as much as 20% of all ovarian cancers.
It can also occur in woman with ovaries.
If the cancer began in the peritoneum and the ovaries are not effected or are
minimally involved then it is diagnosed as primary peritoneal cancer.

Special Concerns For Older Women:

Risk of ovarian cancer increases greatly for women over 50, with a much higher
percent of women aged 60 and older being diagnosed in advanced stages.
Older women often do not have their regular gynecologic checkups after menopause.
Many older women have financial issues related to receiving quality testing and
treatment (loss of income, Medicare restrictions).

Special Concerns For Minority Women:

Of the minority women in America, women of American Indian/Alaskan descent are
at the highest risk, followed by Hispanic women, and then African-American women.
Asian/Pacific Islander women are at the least risk.
Minority women are less likely to see a health care provider due to lack of having
comprehensive health insurance.
Because of this, African-American women have a slightly higher death rate among
other minority women because they are more often diagnosed in advanced stages.

Special Concerns For Lesbian Women:

Lesbian women are less likely to use oral contraceptives, which increases their risk.
Many lesbian women choose not to bear children, which increases the risk.
Discrimination can discourage lesbian women from getting annual pelvic exams.

Is it Hereditary?

Most cases of ovarian cancer occur in women who do not have a family history.
Although many women have a family history of ovarian and/or breast cancer, only
about 10% of ovarian cancers are thought to be the result of inherited genes.
If a woman inherits a mutation in one of her BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes from either of
her parents, her chances of developing ovarian and breast cancer are significantly
higher.
Siblings and children of a known carrier of a BRCA mutation have a 50% chance of
carrying the same mutation.
If you have a family history, a discussion with a certified genetic counselor will give
you information on potential benefits, limitations and risks of genetic testing.
The cost for genetic testing can cost up to several thousand dollars. Insurance
policies vary with regard to whether they cover the cost.
People who are considering genetic testing may want to find out more about their
particular insurance company’s policies as well as the privacy protection laws in their
state before submitting the charge for the test.

This information was compiled using the following sources:
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
The Wellness Community

The Vicki Welsh Ovarian Cancer Fund is administered by:

5830 NW Barry Road, BMP Suite 270
Kansas City, Missouri 64154
www.spelmanfoundation.org

Many of us experience these symptoms from time to time - do not be alarmed!

But if these symptoms are relatively new and/or worsen,
and you have been experiencing them for more than two or three weeks,
it is advised that you see your doctor.