Breakthrough In Ovarian Cancer Research

(CBS)  A potential breakthrough has been made in the detection of ovarian cancer. According to The New York Times, for the first time experts have identified health problems that may be symptoms of the cancer.

This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved survival rates.

The Early Show medical contributor Dr. Emily Senay outlined these findings.

Senay expects that several oncology groups will issue new recommendations regarding when women ought to seek medical attention. The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society for Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Cancer Society will urge women to see their doctors if they experience a particular set of symptoms.

If the following symptoms are experienced every day for two to three consecutive weeks, women should seek medical attention:

Bloating

Pelvic or abdominal pain

Abnormal swelling

Feeling of fullness

Urgent or frequent urination

While these symptoms are "vague," Senay said, seek out your gynecologist if they are not typical for your normal state of health.

To determine if you have ovarian cancer, doctors will perform a physical examination followed by a blood test and possibly an ultrasound.

"The good news," Senay said, "is that in the vast majority of cases it's not going to be ovarian cancer."

The goal is to change the prevailing wisdom about these symptoms. Senay said, "There are so many stories of women who went in and said, 'I've been having these symptoms' and the doctors say, 'It's just your menstrual cycle, or, you're just getting older'."

Prior to this discovery, doctors didn't believe you could find this cancer early, and, by the time of diagnosis, the cancer was usually advanced. This belief changed when experts observed patients experiencing telling symptoms in the months preceding diagnosis.

The American Cancer Society states, "Finding the cancer early improves the chances for successful treatment. Nine out of 10 women treated for early ovarian will live longer than five years after the cancer is found." Click here for more information on detecting ovarian cancer.

The National Cancer Institute reported over 22,000 cases of ovarian cancer in the United States in 2007 and over 15,000 fatalities. With this new discovery, there is the potential for these statistics to decrease, since women will be seeking medical attention earlier, Senay said.

[cferson]

I had ovarian cancer in 2003. I guess I was lucky. My family doctor thought my pap test came back a little funny and sent me to a specialist. For three months they had me take medication but the pap test still came back funny so they decided to do a hysterectomy (spelling?). A two hour operation turned into a 5 1/2 hour operation when they discovered ovarian cancer. I went through 9 months of chemo and go back every three months for a CA125 test. Thank God for two good doctors. I was told back in 2002 the same symptoms - so how is this a breakthrough?

[mmtraynor]

I started going to my physician in April, 2005 and complaining that something was wrong with me. I had rapidly gained 22 lbs. and my abdomen was getting larger and larger, without any changes in my life. After several visits, he sent me to a Gastrologist, whose wife happened to be a Cancer Doctor, but to no avail. Finally, I received an email that quoted "if you have rapid enlargement of your abdomen, take is seriously as it could be Ovarian Cancer". I looked at my husband and said, "this is what is wrong with me". Another visit to the doctor and it was discovered that I had Acities Fluid on my abdomen, which I was told was either liver, lungs, heart or cancer. It was Ovarian Cancer. I didn't have any tumors, just Ovarian type cancer cells in the Acities Fluid, which is called Primary Peritoneal, another form of Ovarian Cancer. They said I was at stage 3C, and I just finished 1 year and 4 months of Chemo. I am in remission at this time, but was given a time line of 2/3 years, with a maximum of 5 years. I have done many natural products and accupuncture and have done suprisingly well to this point. I have also used Flor Essence Tea since day one, and this is worth looking up on the internet. I have a lot of hope still.

[erasmus6]

earthward - "Why is cancer reporting more about medical intervention rather than prevention?"

Because most doctors are idiots. Have you heard of Dr. Andrew Weil? He has said that the problem is that doctors treat the symptoms AFTER you already have something whereas they need to deal in PREVENTION. He has some really good books out.

catlover22 - "We have the ability to screen, why not use it?"

Where I live we all have healthcare, but I have heard it is very expensive to use the machines, so they can't just give everybody the test without good reason. Now, with there being some sort of symptoms, maybe they will do it more often. Of course now everyone will probably be "thinking" they have the symptoms, so who knows what will happen.

Jmg157 - I am thinking "good thoughts" for you.

[earthward]

Why is there no mention of the huge difference in ovarian cancer rates for those women who follow the Standard American Diet vs. the cancer rates for those who have a meat-free diet that also includes no eggs? Why is cancer reporting more about medical intervention rather than prevention?

And why no reporting on the fact that a meat-based diet or a diet that includes more animal products causes more greenhouse gas build-up in the atmosphere compared to that caused by a plant-based diet?

Wondering

[nanccollier]

Anyone who has lost a friend to ovarian cancer knows it's a horrible, hidden cancer. Every woman should be tested as she gets older - pay for it yourself if needed! Vaginal untrasound is cheap and can view the ovaries easily. There are other tests as well. Don't trust the doctors, insist on testing and pay if you need to! Ovarian cancer testing should be as routine as breast cancer screening. It's curable in the earlier stages and horrible in the later stages.

[catlover22]

It's about time!!

I lost my mother 11 years ago to ovarian cancer. She too like many women went to her doctor complaining of some of these very systoms. 3-4 years prior to her diagnois my mom lost her best friend to this silent killer.

Frustrated by her current doctor's lack of interest in what she had to say and the medical insurance BS, she skipped it all and went to a doctor she had used for years. That doctor determined that her pain was caused by a hernia. Mom pressed on an demanded a CA125 (screening test for ovarian cancer) be performed. Her levels were through the roof. She in fact did have a hernia that was too be repaired until surgery showed the cancer was far too spread and needed immediate attention.

One doctor listened, while another refused. Why?

I too am concerned about my health and have asked for a CA125 to be performed only to be told, NO. It is nothing to worry about at this time. But if your family has history of breast cancer and overian cancer than we need to consider screening.

What's wrong with that picture?

We have the ability to screen, why not use it?

[jmg157]

You have no idea how grateful I am that I was watching the CBS morning show today.I have had most of these symptoms for the past 5-6 months been to 2 different doctors and they have both told me that it is nothing to worry about, more than likely a strain from pilates. I called my primary in tears and I have an appointment in the morning for an ultrasound, she had seen the report also. Of course I'm hoping it is a pulled muscle from Pilates, but if not maybe your report has helped find a serious problem. I believe that things always happen for a reason, I never watch the news in the morning before I leave for work, this morning I did. Thank you and please think good thoughts for me
sincerely
JMG in Maine

[erasmus6]

Where I live they won't do the tests that can detect ovarian cancer unless your family has a history of it or until you start having major symptoms. So maybe now they have come out with these "particular" symptoms to watch out for they will do the test sooner.
Of course there are a lot of women that are not "in tune" with their bodies and would probably miss the symptoms.

[erasmus6]

"This is breakthrough?!? posted by defaria

Well it isn't a cure but it is something. I had a friend that died from ovarian cancer and she kept going to her doctor telling him that something was wrong and he kept telling her there wasn't. This went on for a very long time. So if her IDIOT DOCTOR had known these particular symptoms then maybe they would have caught it soon enough and she wouldn't be DEAD now. Or even if she had known the symptoms she could have said what she thought it was. Not that it would have mattered in this instance because her doctor was a moron and even if he knew the symptoms, it's doubtful the outcome would have been different. he basically told her she was imagining it. Now of course she could have gone to another doctor, but by then it would have been too late anyways.

[kevboom]

Yeah, this is a little "vague." Like 99% of those diagnosed, my mother died of ovarian cancer in 2001. She was diligent in her annual check-up's and even had pains in her abdomen checked out fairly quickly before the cancer had spread. To no avail, this is a nasty form of cancer that claims most victims. I'm not sure identifying "symptoms" is much of a breakthrough either or will even help to save many lives. I hope they'll continue working on cures, including those personalized vaccines from frozen patient tissue samples that seem to have some potential. By the way, steer clear of Duke University Medical. After undergoing an optional surgery and helping them out with an experimental study, they refused my mother entry into a treatment regimen. Hospitals should never take away patients' hopes, no matter how dim. That place will never get another dime of my money.