Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer may not necessarily improve survival prospects, it seems. A new study by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) and National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) has found that once women with ovarian cancer have experienced symptoms, reducing time to diagnosis does not help much.
More than 1,400 Australian women diagnosed with ovarian cancer were followed up in the Ovarian Cancer Study, and they were asked to report the events leading to their diagnosis of ovarian cancer, including the date they first experienced symptoms and when they went to a doctor.
Ovarian Cancer | Cancer in the Ovaries - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Ovarian cancer affects both the ovaries and is referred to as the 'silent killer' as the symptoms go unnoticed until the disease advances.
Ovarian cancer affects both the ovaries and is referred to as the 'silent killer' as the symptoms go unnoticed until the disease advances.
“However, the results also raise the possibility that if ovarian cancers could be detected before they cause symptoms, then survival outcomes for women might be improved. This makes it even more important to continue our research and improve our understanding of the factors that play a role in the development of this disease,” said Dr Webb.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal pain and bloating, changes in toilet habits, unexplained changes in weight and fatigue.
About Cancer in Women
Cancer is one of the frequently talked about and most feared disease that falls under the genre of lifestyle diseases that have evolved, rather rapidly, in the past two decades.
Cancer is one of the frequently talked about and most feared disease that falls under the genre of lifestyle diseases that have evolved, rather rapidly, in the past two decades.
“While most women who experience the symptoms of ovarian cancer won’t have the disease, it is important that women who experience persistent symptoms should visit their doctor.”
Advertisement
Ovarian cancer affects around 1,200 women in Australia each year. About two-thirds of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced stage disease and overall survival is poor with only about 40% of women surviving more than five years.
Advertisement
Survival Improves in Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is proving to be less threatening to life as survival rates have nearly doubled in the last thirty years, claims a report released by Cancer Research UK.
Ovarian cancer is proving to be less threatening to life as survival rates have nearly doubled in the last thirty years, claims a report released by Cancer Research UK.
The AOCS study was conducted by QIMR in collaboration with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Westmead Millennium Institute.
Source-Medindia
