Risks

Do you know:

• Most women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer when the chance of survival for 5 years is only about 25%.
• Symptoms are subtle, persistent, and usually increase over time.
• Any changes in bowel, bladder, digestive or gynecologic patterns which are constant and progressive should be discussed with a qualified physician.
• A pap smear will not detect ovarian cancer.

Your risk may be increased by:

• A personal or family history of ovarian, breast, colon or uterine cancer.
• Infertility or not bearing children.
• Aging. But youth alone doesn't protect you. This disease can strike at any age, though the risk increases with age, especially at the time of menopause.

But - the overwhelming majority of women who get ovarian cancer have no known risk factors, and at this time there is no reliable screening test.

Early diagnosis will save lives:

• Detected early and treated properly, 90% of women survive at least 5 years.
• Know your family history of ovarian, uterine, breast and colon cancers.
• If you and your doctor believe you are at high risk, consider participating in an early detection/prevention program.
• If you or your doctor suspect a problem, you should consult a gynecologic oncologist, the specialist who deals with gynecologic cancers.
• At a minimum, get an annual pelvic examination by a qualified physician, which must include a recto-vaginal exam.