Clare Churcher Senior Lecturer in USW - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Clare ChurcherSenior Lecturer in USW

2. Ovarian Cancer – The Silent Killer Silent killer because of the lack of symptomsNo screening availablePresenting with late stage disease (usually stage 3 or 4)Improvement in surgical techniques and chemotherapy have resulted in a modest increase in the 5 year survival over the past 30 years. However even now 2/3’s of women die from their disease.

3. Statistics Ovarian Cancer is the 6th most common cancer in females in the UK.7,400 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the UK.3% of women in the UK would be confident in spotting signs of ovarian cancer.Incidence rates for ovarian cancer are projected to rise by 15% in the UK between 2014 and 2035, to 32 cases per 100,000 females by 2035.Ovarian cancer survival is improving and has almost doubled in the last 40 years in the UK

4. What is Ovarian Cancer?The ovaries are two small organs, each about the size and shape of an almond, located low in the pelvis.The ovaries are also responsible for making the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone.Ovarian cancer is cancer arising from the cells in and around the ovary and fallopian tubes.  Ovarian cancer cells tend to spread on the surface of the abdomen, called the peritoneum and on the surface of the bowel, the omentum , the liver surface and rarely within the liver, the spleen or the lungs. These metastases often produce excess fluid called ascities, which can cause significant bloating and uncomfortable symptoms.

5. Risk Factors“When you know the risk, you're empowered to make choices to reduce that risk. It’s not about scaring people, it’s about giving them the chance to be realistic” (Target Ovarian website)AGE: Women over the age of 50 have a higher risk and usually effect women who have gone through the menopause. However it is not uncommon for younger women to get ovarian cancerFAMILY HISTORY: 80%-85% sporadic, 15%-20% are believed to be caused by an inherited mutated gene, i.e. BRCA 1 & 2. However if there are 2 or more cases of ovarian/breast cancer on mother or father side you should speak to the GPOBESITY: research women with a higher BMI above 28 has a slightly higher riskTALCUM POWDER: using between the legs and it travels to the ovaries and causes irritation HRT: Increase the risk, this has to be discuss with the GP, but the risk reduces once HRT is stoppedENDOMETRIOSIS: Small risk, but more people have endometriosis than are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.SMOKING: Approx 3% of some types of ovarian cancer seem to be linked to tobacco smokeDIABETES: Increased risk of those using insulin as opposed to diet or tablet controlled

6. Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer Persistent bloating – not bloating that comes and goesFeeling full quickly and/or loss of appetitePelvic or abdominal painUrinary symptoms, need to urinate more often/urgently than usual.Changes in bowel habit (diarrhoea or constipation)Extreme fatigueUnexplained weight lossBleeding after the menopause

7. Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer The important bit of these symptoms:Frequent – they usually happen more than 12 times a monthPersistent – they don't go awayNew – they're not normal for you  

8. TestingThere is no screening for Ovarian Cancer CA125 blood test – this measure the protein called CA125 in our blood.UUS of abdomen and ovaries

9. International Federation Of Gynaecology & Obstetrics (FIGO) Staging

10. Other Points of ReferenceOvarian Cancer Action - https://ovarian.org.uk/ Target Ovarian - https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/Ovacome - https://www.ovacome.org.uk/The Eve Appeal - https://eveappeal.org.uk/GRACE - https://grace-charity.org.uk/ Cancer Research UK - https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/