Feeling bloated doesn't have to be normal
Feeling bloated doesn't have to be normal
A swelling can be due to multiple causes, from something we have eaten to stress, through a food intolerance, among other causes. But… also ovarian cancer. This cancer usually does not give clues and is detected in advanced stages. According to the Spanish Association Against Cancer, in Spain about 3,300 cases are diagnosed annually, which represents 5.1% of cancers among women, behind breast, colorectal and cervical cancers.
How do you know if the bloating is only due to gas or is ovarian cancer?
How do you know if the bloating is only due to gas or is ovarian cancer?
If the swelling persists after eliminating flatulent foods or other possible causes –such as breathing in when eating, drinking carbonated drinks, etc.–, it must be considered that it could be ovarian cancer.
Other ovarian cancer symptoms
Other ovarian cancer symptoms
There are other symptoms that are related to ovarian cancer, which can also be confused with other ailments, such as abdominal or pelvic pain, feeling of being full almost when starting to eat, gastritis, alteration in the rhythm of bowel movements (from diarrhea to constipation ), weight changes … There may also be vaginal bleeding or changes in menstruation.
Gynecological examination is not enough
Gynecological examination is not enough
The review has specific tests to detect cervical cancer - such as cytology - or breast cancer - such as mammography. But since there is no specific test for the ovary, it is difficult that only the annual review is enough. Even doing ultrasounds every few months may not be detected early. To diagnose it, the gynecologist usually performs a pelvic exam first and then a gynecological ultrasound, which is the main diagnostic test. To complement the results, a Doppler study - an ultrasound ultrasound - and an analysis to examine certain tumor markers can be performed. In addition, you can perform an abdominal-pelvic CT scan or an MRI. Finally, a surgical biopsy can be used.
If your mother has suffered it, take extreme precautions
If your mother has suffered it, take extreme precautions
If your mother or sister has had ovarian cancer, your risk is higher. If there may be altered genes –– BRCA 1 and BRCA 2– you should pass a genetic test. You are also more at risk if there are other types of cancer in your family, especially breast or colon.
Eat a protective diet
Eat a protective diet
The World Cancer Research Fund warns that being overweight and obese increases the risk of ovarian cancer. For this reason, the American Cancer Society proposes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fats of animal origin, such as red meat, sausage, etc. Exercising regularly can also help prevent the disease, as can stress control, get enough sleep, and avoid tobacco use.
The contraceptive pill protects
The contraceptive pill protects
A study by the University of Milan (Italy) attributes the 10% decrease in mortality from ovarian cancer in the European Union between 2002 and 2012 –11.3% in Spain– to the use of oral contraceptives, which would offer long-term protection against this tumor.
Being a mother reduces the risk of ovarian cancer
Being a mother reduces the risk of ovarian cancer
Women who have had children have a lower risk of ovarian cancer than those who have never been pregnant. But if the pregnancy does not come due to endometriosis, it must be taken into account that this disease can increase the risk of ovarian cancer, according to The Lancet Oncology. Endometriosis occurs when part of the endometrial tissue is outside the uterus (ovary, intestine …). If your period hurts a lot, it could be that you have it.
Breastfeeding is good too
Breastfeeding is good too
According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding also lowers the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Hormone replacement therapy increases risk
Hormone replacement therapy increases risk
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause is considered a risk factor in this type of cancer, especially if it is followed for a long time. The University of Oxford (United Kingdom) ensures that the risk is greater if the treatment is continued for 5 years. But the fact that the time is less reduces the risk but does not make it disappear. The duration of HRT depends on the age of initiation of its administration and is not recommended beyond 50 years. Therefore, it is recommended to personalize the treatment when the woman suffers from very intense symptoms.
According to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), in Spain about 3,300 cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed annually, which represents 5.1% of cancers among women, behind breast, colorectal and neck cancers. uterus.
Ovarian cancer is generally diagnosed in advanced stages since the symptoms it causes - a feeling of bloating, gas, constipation, abdominal pain … - are often confused with other ailments. This, together with the fact that there is still no screening test to detect it in the early stages, causes 75% of this type of cancer to be detected in advanced stages of the disease.
According to the AECC, 44% of patients suffering from ovarian cancer in Spain survive for more than 5 years, a figure higher than the European average, which is 37%. What's more, 5-year survival has increased 11% in the last 15 years.
Thanks to Dr. Ramon Rovira, coordinator of the Gynecology Oncology and Advanced Laparoscopy Unit of the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona, we have delved into this topic.
Where does ovarian cancer start?
Although the origin of the tumor was not clear, a joint study by Johns Hopkins University (USA) and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Institute (Australia) states that the majority of ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes, it is that is, in the ducts that connect the ovaries and the uterus.
How it unfolds
You can do it in four different ways.
- Local growth. It can colonize the fallopian tubes, uterus, bladder, and rectum.
- Peritoneal spread. The cancer spreads through the abdominal cavity, colonizing the membrane that lines this cavity and envelops the viscera.
- Lymphatic spread. It can also affect the nodes, usually those in the pelvis and around the aorta artery.
- Hematogenous spread. When ovarian cancer is in an advanced stage, it can spread through the blood vessels and reach the liver, bones, or lungs.
How do I know if I have ovarian cancer?
If, despite making changes in your diet and habits, the symptoms persist, then it is important that you consult your doctor. For example, if you feel very bloated, eliminate foods that cause gas from your diet, try to eat without taking in air, etc. If the swelling still persists, do not hesitate and consult.
What tests will they do to find out if I have ovarian cancer
The gynecologist usually performs a pelvic exam first and then a gynecological ultrasound, which is the main diagnostic test. To complement the results of the ultrasound, a Doppler study - an ultrasound ultrasound - and an analysis to examine certain tumor markers can be performed. In addition, you can perform an abdominal-pelvic CT scan or an MRI. Finally, a surgical biopsy can be used.
Which is the treatment
As Dr. Rovira, specialist in gynecology oncology, explains, "what has the greatest impact on the survival of the patient is the success in achieving radical surgery, which does not leave a residual tumor", whether chemotherapy is administered before or after the intervention. Therefore, he insists that the surgery is in expert hands. "It does not make sense that these interventions are done in hospitals that only see cases like this 3 or 4 times a year", because a high level of specialization is required to eliminate it completely.
In addition to surgery, treatment is usually complemented with chemotherapy and / or radiation therapy. This is usually very effective. But for the 20% of women who do not respond to platinum-based chemotherapy, which is the one commonly given for ovarian cancer, there is good news too. An American study has shown that the use of bromodomain inhibitors can reduce resistance to this treatment.
Good news for the future
Johns Hopkins University (USA) is working on a liquid biopsy that can become a routine test to detect eight types of cancer early, including ovarian cancer.
This test, called Cancer seek, consists of a specific blood test that analyzes DNA in combination with certain proteins. This test would be applied to risk groups. In ovarian cancer, for example, women with a hereditary history or older than 60 years.
