Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is classified in stages I through IV, with stage I being the earliest and stage IV, the most advanced. Staging is determined at the time of surgical evaluation of the disease:
- Stage I – where the ovarian cancer is confirmed, this is the earliest stage. In this stage the cancer is restricted to the ovaries only.
- Stage II- in this stage, the cancer spread to nearby locations such as fallopian tubes or the uterus.
- Stage III- In this stage the cancer spread to the linings of the abdomen, it is usually at this stage that the disease is identified.
- Stage IV- At this stage, the ovarian cancer spreads to the organs outside the abdomen.
Certain factors may increase your risk of ovarian cancer. Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean that you're sure to develop ovarian cancer, but your risk may be higher than that of the average woman. These risk factors include:
- Inherited gene mutations - the vast majority of women who develop ovarian cancer don't have an inherited gene mutation. The most significant risk factor for ovarian cancer is having an inherited mutation in one of two genes called breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2). These genes were originally identified in families with multiple cases of breast cancer, which is how they got their names, but people with these mutations also have a significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Women with the BRCA1 mutation have a 35 to 70 percent higher risk of ovarian cancer than do women without this mutation, and for women with a BRCA2 mutation, the risk is between 10 and 30 percent higher. For most women, the overall lifetime risk is about 1.5 percent, according to the ACS. You're at particularly high risk of carrying these types of mutations if you're of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
Another known genetic link involves an inherited syndrome called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Women in HNPCC families are at increased risk of cancers of the uterine lining (endometrium), colon, ovary and stomach. Risk of ovarian cancer associated with HNPCC is lower than is that of ovarian cancer associated with BRCA mutations.
- Family history - Sometimes, ovarian cancer occurs in more than one family member but isn't the result of any known inherited gene alteration. Having a family history of ovarian cancer increases the patient’s risk of the disease by 10 to 15 percent, according to the ACS.
- A history of breast cancer - If the patient has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the risk of ovarian cancer also is elevated.
- Age - Ovarian cancer most often develops after menopause. The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age through the persons late 70s. Although most cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in postmenopausal women, the disease also occurs in premenopausal women.
- Childbearing status - Women who have had at least one pregnancy appear to have a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer. Similarly, the use of oral contraceptives appears to offer some protection against ovarian cancer.
- Infertility - If the patient has had trouble conceiving, they may be at increased risk. Although the link is poorly understood, studies indicate that infertility increases the risk of ovarian cancer, even without use of fertility drugs. Some research has also suggested that taking fertility drugs, such as clomiphene (Clomid), for more than one year may increase your risk of ovarian cancer, but it's not clear whether the increased risk actually comes from the drug or from the infertility.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - Findings about the possible link between postmenopausal use of the hormones estrogen and progestin and risk of ovarian cancer have been inconsistent. However, a recent analysis of numerous studies, published in the journal Gynecologic Oncology, confirmed an association between HRT and ovarian cancer, particularly for those who took estrogen only.
- Obesity - Women who are obese have a greater risk of ovarian cancer. Obesity may also be linked to more-aggressive ovarian cancers, which can result in a shorter time to disease relapse and a decrease in the overall survival rate.
- Male hormones - The medication danazol, a male hormone (androgen), is used to treat endometriosis and has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. More study is needed to further define this association.
It would be highly preposterous to say that those women who find themselves with these risks will definitely have ovarian cancer. However, if any of these risks are present, it is recommended that the person as soon as possible.
Conventional Treatments of Ovarian Cancer
The treatment of ovarian cancer over the years has been a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. There are three main forms of treatment for ovarian cancer:
1. Surgery to remove cancerous tissue.
2. Chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells using strong anti-cancer drugs.
3. Radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells by high-energy radiation exposure.
There are also many combinations of these treatment methods and it is usually worthwhile to get a second opinion about treatment before entering into a specific program. Treatment depends upon a number of factors (e.g., stage and grade of the disease, the histopathologic type, and the patient's age and overall health).
Surgical treatment of ovarian cancer
Barring a few lucky women, the vast majority of women detected with ovarian cancer need extensive surgery. The surgical process is used to remove the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus and the nearby lymph nodes. Another area that is often removed is a fold of fatty abdominal tissue known as the omentum, this is where the ovarian cancer mostly spreads. During surgery an attempt is made to remove as much of the cancer as possible, resulting in removing part of the patient’s intestines too.
Chemotherapyforms an after effect of surgery. This is done to remove traces of any cancerous cells that may remain after surgery. Most doctors treat ovarian cancer with a combination of paclitaxel (Taxol) and carboplatin (Paraplatin) being injected into the blood. Clinical research has proved this to be the most effective method for combating ovarian cancer.>The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is effective in most women who have newly been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Also survival rates are seen to be better in such cases.
Radiotherapy, otherwise known as radiation therapy, is not a common treatment for ovarian cancer in the United States. This is because many American women are diagnosed with late-stage cancers that have spread widely within the abdominal cavity (see also Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer). To be effective, radiotherapy must include all cancer cells within the radiation field, and abdominal organs like the liver, kidneys, and small bowel may not be able to withstand the doses of radiation required to destroy all tumorous tissue. Yet if the ovarian cancer is confined to one or both ovaries without spread to abdominal organs or pelvic lymph nodes, radiotherapy may be an option.
Besides the ovarian cancer therapies that are currently in use—surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy—a number of treatment strategies are in development. Hundreds of clinical trials have been performed to evaluate the benefits, safety, and side effects of new techniques such as gene therapy and hormone therapy. But, although some early findings look promising, final results on the effectiveness of these new therapies will not be available for a number of years.
Patients Medical’s Ovarian Cancer Treatment
At Patients Medical we treat cancer with a combination of western medicine and our holistic approach. Our expert team of doctors will examine you in trying to find the root of your problem. Our range of sophisticated tests ensures that your diagnosis is correct and that proper treatment can be conducted.
Our treatment here is based on vitamins supplements, herbs, natural compounds, these when combined with the knowledge of western medicine give you a treatment that is devoid of side effects resulting in a new you in every way.
Supplements Used to Treat Ovarian Cancer
The Patients Medical team provides the patient with comprehensive treatment based on a support system using nutrition assessment, education and awareness on ovarian cancer. The supplements use to treat Ovarian Cancer are:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Beta carotene
- Selenium
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Ovarian Cancer terms defined
Ovarian- One of two small oval bodies situated on either side of the uterus on the posterior surface of the broad ligament.
Hormone replacement therapy - A treatment for females with sex hormones for a number for reasons, including menopause, partial or full hysterectomy.
Chemotherapy - The treatment of a disease with chemicals that have a specific toxic effect upon the disease producing antibiotics that selectively destroy cancerous tissue.
Intravenous - Within a vein or veins.
Next Steps:
Poor health can significantly affect your life. Improve your life by changing to good health. Call our patient coordinator at 1-212-679-9667 or click on Request an Appointment to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for evaluation and testing.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.
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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009