Ovarian risk

THREE hundred Irish women will develop ovarian cancer this year.

It’s the fourth most common cancer for women. It can be difficult to detect. The symptoms can be confused with other conditions.

It’s considered a ’symptom-less’ cancer, but early warning signs could make a crucial difference to treatment, say experts.

Caught early, ovarian cancer can be treated successfully in 70% of cases. The symptoms can be similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It’s crucial to recognise what is normal for your body. If you are noticing changes, go to your GP to check that nothing is irregular.

“The main signs and symptoms that women should look out for are a persistent, bloated feeling in the tummy, vague indigestion and nausea, change in bowel habits, abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, poor appetite, pain, or a dragging sensation in the lower tummy,” says Eileen O’Donovan, information services nurse with the Irish Cancer Society. “If these symptoms are persistent for three to four weeks, then it’s advisable to go to your GP.”

Keep track of your symptoms; note them before making an appointment with your GP. A regular smear test will only pick up symptoms for cervical cancer. Many women mistakenly think their smear will catch ovarian cancer.

There isn’t a routine screening programme for ovarian cancer. Age is the biggest risk factor.

Generally, ovarian cancer develops in older women — but 20% of women diagnosed are under the age of 50. “Never been pregnant, being on hormonal therapy for ten years or more are other risk factors,” says O’Donovan.

Inheriting a faulty gene can increase the risk of the disease, but the majority of cases will be ‘sporadic’, meaning there’s no faulty gene or family chain.

“A lot of women worry that because a close relative’s had ovarian cancer, they will get it, but, in most cases, it’s a one-off, meaning there isn’t a family link,” says Dr Sharon Tate. “So while it’s important to know your family history, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a significantly increased threat if someone in your family has had it.”

That said, learning about cases of ovarian and breast cancer within your family is worthwhile, especially ahead of visiting your GP.

Lifestyle, such as a poor diet and smoking, may also increase risk, but any woman could potentially be affected. If your doctor thinks you may be showing symptoms of ovarian cancer, he will arrange for you to have further tests.

* For further information, see: www.cancer.ie or phone the ICS helpline 1800-200-700. The Irish Cancer Society also has a free booklet A Woman’s Guide to Healthy Living and Cancer.

* www.ovacare.com