What Women Should Know About Ovarian Cancer

The ovaries are two female reproductive organs on the uterus's left and right sides. These walnut-sized organs produce and mature eggs during their productive period and produce the hormones progesterone and estrogen.

Ovarian cancer can start from three main types of cells:

• Germ cells develop into egg cells.
• Stromal cells form the substance of the ovary.
• Epithelial cells are the outer layer of the ovary.

Ovarian cancer facts in Indonesia

Ovarian cancer cases is the 6th most common cancer in Indonesia. According to the Global Burden of Cancer Study 2020, there were 13,310 and 7,842 deaths, with 85% detected at advanced stages.

Early detection is critical since it can increase the chances of recovery by up to 95%. Unfortunately, symptoms of ovarian cancer are often only in advanced stages so the mortality rate is high.

Here are things women should know about ovarian cancer:

1. No early symptoms

Unlike other cancers, ovarian cancer in its early stages often does not show typical signs. This cancer can cause the fallopian tubes or ovaries to enlarge, but symptoms are usually not felt until complications occur, such as ovarian torsion, which causes pain.

Common symptoms include:

• abdominal bloating;
• digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea;
• difficulty eating or feeling full quickly;
• frequent or feeling urgent urination;
• back, abdominal, or pelvic pain;
• irregular menstruation;
• persistent fatigue;
• pain during sexual intercourse;
• unexplained weight loss or gain.

2. Age and family history increase risk

Some factors that may raise the risk of ovarian cancer include:

• Age: Most ovarian cancers develop after menopause.
• A personal history of breast cancer.
• A family history of cancer, especially if a family member had ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer at a young age.
• Inherited genetic mutations: Mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
• Endometriosis.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Taking hormone replacement therapy after menopause.

3. Pap smears do not detect ovarian cancer

Pap smears can only identify cervical cancer, not ovarian cancer. Currently, there is no test for detecting ovarian cancer in its early stages.

4. Fallopian tube removal reduces risk

The most common type of ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes. Therefore, some cases of ovarian cancer can be prevented by removing the fallopian tubes, a procedure called opportunistic salpingectomy.

According to studies, this procedure is significant in reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.

5. Early detection improves survival rate

The American Cancer Society reports that if ovarian cancer is detected early and restricted to the ovaries (stage 1), patients have a five-year survival rate of up to 93%.

Unfortunately, most cases are found only after spreading to the pelvis, abdomen, or other body parts. Therefore, early detection is quite crucial.

Prevention of ovarian cancer

In addition to removing the fallopian tubes, several things can be done to prevent ovarian cancer:

• taking combination birth control pills;
• not undergoing hormone replacement therapy;
• implementing a healthy lifestyle, especially eating vegetables, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and maintaining ideal body weight;
• not smoking;
• getting regular health check-ups, especially if there is a family history of cancer.

Ovarian cancer treatment

• Surgery is one of the primary treatments.
• Depending on the cancer stage, the doctor may recommend surgery or chemotherapy first.
• Before surgery, the doctor will do imaging tests, such as CT scans, and other diagnostic procedures.
• Other factors to consider are the patient's age, overall health, and other diseases that the patient may have.

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Although ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late, understanding the risk factors and symptoms can improve early detection chances.

If you notice suspicious symptoms or have a family history of ovarian cancer, consult a doctor for further examination.