Ovarian Cancer: Types, Stages and Risk Factors
February is ovarian cancer awareness month, and with roughly 1500 females diagnosed with new cases in Australia last year, it is a difficult subject that needs our attention.
While none of us enjoy thinking about the possibility of developing cancer, it is particularly important to be aware of ovarian cancer because of its ability to go undetected in the early stages.
There are currently no screening processes for ovarian cancer, like the ones we have for other cancers, so many cases are not caught until the tumour has developed into an aggressive later stage.
For the whole of ovarian cancer awareness month, we want to help spread the word. First, what is ovarian cancer and what risk factors should we be aware of?
Risk factors for ovarian cancer are lifestyle, age, family history and hormone replacement therapy.
Types of Ovarian Cancer
The three main types of ovarian cancer are grouped by the cells they begin as. There are 3 types of cell in the ovaries: epithelial cell, germ cell and stromal cell.
Epithelial tumours are most common, being responsible for 90% of cases. They develop on the surface around the ovaries (the epithelium) and, if cancerous, are the deadliest type of ovarian cancer.
Germ cell tumours are less common and grow from the cells that become eggs inside the ovaries. They account for around 5% of ovarian cancer cases and, even when cancerous, are frequently cured without fertility loss.
Stromal cell tumours are the rarest type of ovarian cancer. The stromal cells make up the ovaries’ soft tissue and produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
There are three main types of ovarian cancer - epithelial tumours, germ cell tumours, stromal cell tumours.
Stages of ovarian cancer
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classifies ovarian cancer into the following stages:
Stage 1: Cancer is in one or both ovaries only.
Stage 2: Cancer is in one or both ovaries and has spread to other organs in the pelvis (uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder or bowel).
Stage 3: Cancer is in one or both ovaries and has spread beyond the pelvis to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) or nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread further to distant organs such as lungs or liver.
Currently, the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is less than 50%. Experts agree that the main reason for this low figure is the difficulty detecting tumours before they spread to other organs.
If we catch ovarian cancer at Stage 1, the chance of survival increases considerably. Speaking to your GP as soon as you notice any symptoms is the best way to catch a potential tumour in its early stages.
Dr. Yawn from Olmsted Medical Centre says that detection of ovarian cancer in early stages leads to a 90% chance of survival.
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
Lifestyle choices such as smoking or being overweight make you more likely to develop any cancer, but ovarian cancer has additional risk factors – some of which are controllable; some of which are not.
Older women are considered higher risk than younger women, particularly those of post-menopausal age. Older women who have never had children are also at higher risk than women of the same age with children.
Some women choose to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after they go through menopause, which can also lead to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Having a female family member with breast, colon or ovarian cancer makes your risk of developing ovarian cancer higher, so it is important to be aware of your family history.
Mutations of certain genes make the carrier more susceptible to certain illnesses and, for breast and ovarian cancers, the potentially troublesome genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer are lifestyle, age, family history and hormone replacement therapy.
Awareness is the first step to ovarian cancer prevention
If any of these risk factors apply to you, don’t panic. Loads of high-risk people complete their lives without so much as a hint of cancer and being aware of your risk is the best way to prevent yourself from developing a dangerous type of ovarian cancer.
Talk to your doctor about your risk of developing ovarian cancer and check out our prevention guide next week.