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Health
MARCH 2014
OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH This month we caught up with Mr Barnaby Rufford, a Gynaecology Consultant based at Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust with a private practice at Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital. Barnaby Rufford grew up in Suffolk before moving away for his medical training in London and Australia. With March being Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, he explains in more detail why early diagnosis and being more aware of the symptoms of the illness is so important “March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, an important month for us to increase public knowledge of the disease”, explains Barnaby. “There are over 7,000 cases of ovarian cancer a year in the UK – that’s over 135 women being diagnosed every week – making ovarian cancer the fourth most common cause of cancer death in women. In over 75% of cases, women are diagnosed when the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries when successful treatment is much more challenging. One of the reasons for this is the failure to recognise symptoms.” Some of the symptoms are: Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes), difficulty eating and feeling full, pelvic or abdominal pain and needing to pass urine more urgently or more often. Other symptoms can include unexpected weight loss, change in bowel habit, and extreme fatigue. Ovarian cancer symptoms can be confused with
those of irritable bowel syndrome but although the latter is more common, it rarely presents as a new illness in women over 50. Most women with these symptoms won’t have ovarian cancer but investigation with a CA125 blood test may be indicated if they are persistent. An ultrasound scan may also be indicated. “The good news is that if tests are carried out promptly and ovarian cancer is discovered early then the prognosis is usually good. When diagnosed at the earliest stage, when the disease is confined to the ovary, the cure rate is above 90%. The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age and after the menopause”, explains Barnaby. “Most cases are sporadic but it can run in families. Further assessment may be necessary if a family contains two or more cases of ovarian cancer or both ovarian cancer and breast cancer cases. Some things protect against ovarian cancer – these include having children, breast feeding and taking the oral contraceptive pill. Common myths about ovarian cancer include that it can be detected by a cervical smear, that it is related to sexual activity and that it is a “silent killer” – most women do have symptoms, they are just often not investigated early enough.” “I think the key message to women is that if you have any concerns or experience any of the changes above, act upon them. Always consult your GP initially who will refer you to a specialist if there is thought to be a need for further investigation.”
Mr Barnaby Rufford
Ovarian cancer treatment is managed at specialist oncology centres that cover large population areas. Ipswich is the cancer centre that covers most of Suffolk and Essex in an area extending south to the M25. The local private hospital, Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital, is the regional BUPA accredited private hospital for managing gynaecological cancers. Mr Barnaby Rufford, as well as qualifying as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, has undertaken a further five years training at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Royal Marsden Hospital to gain a fellowship in gynaecological cancer surgery. The additional skills gained during this fellowship have been invaluable through his career when undertaking all gynaecological surgery, not just that for cancer. In 2006 an opportunity arose to take up a consultant post in Ipswich and he returned to his native Suffolk where he lives with his wife and three children. He continues to do a session in London at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. As well as being Lead Clinician for Gynaecological Cancer at Ipswich Hospital, he has a private practice in general gynaecology and gynaecological cancer at Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital and represents the East of England on the National Commissioning Group determining the management of all aspects of complex gynaecology nationally.
To find out more information on how to book a private consultation with Mr Barnaby Rufford, Consultant Gynaecologist, contact Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital on 01473 279100. www.nuffieldhealth.com/ipswichhospital Visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/events for details of all our upcoming events.
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