Detecting Ovarian Cancer
Fight like a girl against gynecologic cancers
There is no screening test to help catch ovarian cancer early. But asking women three questions can help determine if they should be tested for ovarian cancer, according to a recent study published in the Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
It starts off small — some spotting, a bloated belly, maybe some pelvic pain, or just pressure.
1 Pain Do you have abdominal and/or pelvic pain?
Chances are it’s nothing. But you don’t know that.
G
ynecologic cancers, including ovarian and uterine, are relatively rare, accounting for less than 3 percent of cancers in women. Still, more than 71,500 women will be diagnosed and 26,500 women will die this year from gynecologic cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Deadliest Next to lung cancer, ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancers that can strike women. That’s mostly because there is no screening test that can help diagnose it at an early stage, says Dirk Pikaart, DO, a gynecologic oncologist at Southern Colorado Gynecology Oncology in Colorado Springs. The key, therefore, is for women to pay attention to symptoms and get them checked early. “Chances are good that it’s not cancer, but you should still get checked,” he says. “If it’s not cancer, it could be something else that can be treated.” Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and even
2 irritable bowel syndrome can cause the same symptoms. And if a pelvic mass is found, there are now two blood protein tests that can help rule out cancer without having to perform surgery. The Most Common Endometrial cancer, which occurs in the lining of the uterus, is the most common type of gynecologic cancer and is increasing along with obesity rates, Pikaart says. “The fatty tissue creates estrogen, which constantly stimulates the lining of the uterus,” he explains. “When that lining is continually stimulated, it can develop cancer.” About 80 percent of endometrial cancers can be cured with a hysterectomy, but it must be diagnosed early before it has spread. The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding. “I’ve treated women who have been spotting for three years and didn’t have it checked,” Pikaart says. “The message for women is that bleeding after menopause is cancer until proven otherwise.”
Learn More Gynecologic conditions, including cancer, are being more effectively treated through robotic surgery. Using the advanced da Vinci® robot, gynecologic oncologist Dr. Dirk Pikaart can remove even the tiniest cancerous lesions and tumors without injuring organs, arteries, or healthy tissue. Learn more about robotic surgery for gynecologic conditions by calling Southern Colorado Gynecology Oncology at 719-776-6222 or by visiting penrosecancercenter.org/treatment-technologies.
bloom
6 Spring 2013
Eating Do you feel full quickly and/or are you unable to eat normally?
3 Size Have you experienced abdominal bloating and/or increased abdomen size?
The Penrose Cancer Center is part of the Centura Health
Cancer Network, delivering integrated, advanced cancer care across Colorado.
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services