Women Advised to be Aware of Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

At an Irish Cancer Society conference on gynaecological cancers experts advised that while the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, a disease which has no specific environmental or lifestyle causes,  is difficult, there are safeguards that can be put in place to reduce the risk of developing the disease. Foremost among these are risk asessment clinics such as those held at The Rotunda and The Adelaide and Meath Hospital Tallaght for women considered to be in the high-risk category. Those include women with two or more first-degree relatives who have had ovarian cancer, women with a strong family history of ovarian, breast or colon cancer and women who have been found through genetic testing to have the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 gene – critical genes in the predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer, accounting for 5 to 10 per cent of cases. Risk asessment involves meeting with a specialist nurse, genetic counsellor and regular checks including ultrasound scans and blood tests. Speaking at the conference Dr Grainne Flannelly, Cosultant Obstetrician at The National Maternity Hospital, outlined the symptoms women should be aware of as “pelvic or abdominal discomfort, increased abdominal size, unexplained weight gain or loss, fatigue, difficulty breathing, changes in bladder or bowel habits, unusual vaginal bleeding and pain during intercourse.

Posted Monday 9th June 2008