Nagpur: While celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday, the world is also observing World Ovarian Cancer Day. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common but less talked about as compared to breast and cervical cancers. While aging is the prime factor, there are many others that have led to a rise in ovarian cancers. TOI spoke to expert doctors about motherhood and ovarian cancer.
Veteran gynecologist Dr Laxmi Shrikhande, who is also president of the Association of Medical Women Nagpur (AMWN) said ovarian cancer is hard to detect in its early stages due to its vague symptoms.
“Ovarian cancer also has the worst prognosis as compared to other cancers in women with a 5-year survival of only 45% patients. In India, we have an increasing burden of this disease,” she said, adding, many women have lost their lives just because of delayed detection.
“But the reality is that there’s currently no screening test to detect ovarian cancer at the early stage. There is no single test to detect it. Early symptoms are very common like bloating, difficulty in eating, abdominal or pelvic pain and abdomen swelling. All these are normally associated with common conditions,” she said, adding, annual visit to a gynecologist and regular ultrasound and pelvic examination should be a part of a routine life after the late 30s.
“Mothers have the entire responsibility of family and their job is endless. On this Mother’s Day, we can resolve to take mothers for a health check-up,” said Dr Shrikhande.
Secretary of Nagpur obstetrics and gynecology society (NOGS) Dr Sangeeta Tajpuriya explained the lesser-known connection between motherhood and ovarian cancer.
“Becoming a mother at the right age can protect you from ovarian cancer,” she said. “By becoming a mother, you can take care of your ovaries. It is a known fact that women who have their first full-term pregnancy after age 35 or who never carried a pregnancy to term have a higher risk of ovarian cancer,” she added.
Surgical oncologist Dr Ramakant Tayade said that though detected at the developing stage, ovarian cancer can be cured with established treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. “Detection is the most difficult factor in ovarian cancer. Once detected, it responds well to chemotherapy. Regular medical check-ups are required even after cancer has been treated,” he said.
OVARIAN CANCER FACTS
* If detected early, chances of a five-year survival rate is up to 98%
* About 1 in 78 women gets ovarian cancer in their lifetime
* But 4 out of 5 are not diagnosed in the early stage
* Because no noticeable signs or symptoms appear in early stage
* Bloating, abdominal or pelvic pain, swelling, change in bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea, urinary frequency and urgency, back pain and loss of appetite are common signs
* If these signs persist even after getting treated for two or more weeks, meet a gynecologist
* Those having a family history of cancer, obesity, never had a pregnancy, used hormone therapies or fertility drugs may be at risk of ovarian cancer
Veteran gynecologist Dr Laxmi Shrikhande, who is also president of the Association of Medical Women Nagpur (AMWN) said ovarian cancer is hard to detect in its early stages due to its vague symptoms.
“Ovarian cancer also has the worst prognosis as compared to other cancers in women with a 5-year survival of only 45% patients. In India, we have an increasing burden of this disease,” she said, adding, many women have lost their lives just because of delayed detection.
“But the reality is that there’s currently no screening test to detect ovarian cancer at the early stage. There is no single test to detect it. Early symptoms are very common like bloating, difficulty in eating, abdominal or pelvic pain and abdomen swelling. All these are normally associated with common conditions,” she said, adding, annual visit to a gynecologist and regular ultrasound and pelvic examination should be a part of a routine life after the late 30s.
“Mothers have the entire responsibility of family and their job is endless. On this Mother’s Day, we can resolve to take mothers for a health check-up,” said Dr Shrikhande.
Secretary of Nagpur obstetrics and gynecology society (NOGS) Dr Sangeeta Tajpuriya explained the lesser-known connection between motherhood and ovarian cancer.
“Becoming a mother at the right age can protect you from ovarian cancer,” she said. “By becoming a mother, you can take care of your ovaries. It is a known fact that women who have their first full-term pregnancy after age 35 or who never carried a pregnancy to term have a higher risk of ovarian cancer,” she added.
Surgical oncologist Dr Ramakant Tayade said that though detected at the developing stage, ovarian cancer can be cured with established treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. “Detection is the most difficult factor in ovarian cancer. Once detected, it responds well to chemotherapy. Regular medical check-ups are required even after cancer has been treated,” he said.
OVARIAN CANCER FACTS
* If detected early, chances of a five-year survival rate is up to 98%
* About 1 in 78 women gets ovarian cancer in their lifetime
* But 4 out of 5 are not diagnosed in the early stage
* Because no noticeable signs or symptoms appear in early stage
* Bloating, abdominal or pelvic pain, swelling, change in bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea, urinary frequency and urgency, back pain and loss of appetite are common signs
* If these signs persist even after getting treated for two or more weeks, meet a gynecologist
* Those having a family history of cancer, obesity, never had a pregnancy, used hormone therapies or fertility drugs may be at risk of ovarian cancer