Abnormal vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain are just a few of the disease manifestations. Most ovarian tumors are detected in advanced stages, when chances of survival are reduced. Regular gynecological checks are the only measures in order to detect early ovarian cancer. The affection is considered a "silent killer" because of the unclear symptoms from early stages, the disease having a silent evolution.

In stage I, this kind of cancer affects one or both ovaries, and in the second stage the disease extends to the organs near the ovaries (uterus and fallopian tubes),. In stage III, cancer cells spread to tissues outside the lymph nodes or pelvic area, and in the last stage, metastases occur in organs such as liver.

In most cases, ovarian cancer is detected in stage III, when chances of survival by up to five years, drop about 35 percent.



There is no way to prevent ovarian cancer. However, doctors say that using oral contraceptives may decrease the risk of  this disease. Also, pregnancy and breast-feeding might protect women from ovarian cancer.

Absence of tasks, risk of disease

Among the risk factors involved in ovarian cancer are the hereditary ones, the "women with relatives diagnosed with breast cancer and / or ovarian cancer (especially before menopause)," are more exposed, said Dragos Median, specialist in medical oncology from the "Philanthropy” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology " from Bucharest.

Digestive disorders, possible signs

In many cases, ovarian cancer symptoms can be confused with some disorders of the digestive area. Thus, people with this type of cancer may have bloating, constipation and abdominal discomfort. Irregular periods, frequent urination and abnormal vaginal bleeding are other symptoms that should alarm every woman, because they can be, in turn, signs of disease. Gynecological checks and pelvic ultrasounds can detect ovarian tumor, therefore doctors recommend that any woman should go to the gynecologist at least once a year. The diagnosis requires some further investigation like: biopsy and imaging tests such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen and pelvis.



Regarding the tumor markers, Dragos Median doctor believes that they "are more helpful in monitoring and less in diagnostics.

For ovarian cancer, the protein CA125 (tumor marker specific for ovarian cancer) is "increased  by 50 percent in early cases and by 80-90 percent in advanced cases, but it could register a slight increase in other diseases too," said the specialist.

Survival at 5 years after screening

Stage, Survival rates:I 90%; II, 60-70%; III 15-35%; IV, 5-15%

Ovarian cancer is one of the most rare forms of cancer, and survival rates are very low - only 30% in Britain, without increasing in the past 30 years, according to Target Ovarian Cancer.Data from Cancer Research UK show, however, that survival rate was 20% 10 years ago. Its improvement is largely attributable to pill use contraceptives, which are said to have a protective effect against this disease.

In a study conducted on a sample of 351 women with incidental epithelial ovarian cancer (discovered accidentally), researchers found that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains was associated with a higher rate of survival.

Increased meat consumption was associated with lower survival duration.The conclusion "suggests that patterns of food from three to five years before the diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer, have the potential to influence the survival time, Therese A. Dolecek, research professor of epidemiology at the University of Illinois from Chicago, and colleagues wrote in their report published in the March, in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.