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Women are unnecessarily risking death from ovarian cancer, doctors are alarming. Contrary to popular belief, this disease can show early symptoms. What?
It is known as the silent killer because it is commonly believed that it does not produce early symptoms. But now women have been urged to pay more attention to the aches and pains and persistent gas that could be a sign of developing ovarian cancer.
According to the recently published survey, only 3 percent. of the ladies were sure that they would recognize the symptoms of this tumor. This indicates that thousands of others are risking death that they can avoid.
While awareness of other malignancies such as breast and testicular cancer has improved significantly thanks to public health campaigns, awareness of the most deadly gynecological cancer remains alarmingly low. Typically, ovarian cancer is diagnosed at a much later stage than other cancers, making treatment difficult.
According to the results of a survey of over XNUMX women for the British public benefit organization Target Ovarian Cancer, awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms has not changed over the past three years. The Foundation believes that there is an urgent need for governments to allocate funds to an educational campaign on this subject.
– Every day, women die unnecessarily because they did not know the symptoms of the disease before being diagnosed with advanced cancer. If found early in development, their chances of surviving for five years would almost double. We had an interesting discussion with the UK Ministry of Health about action in this case, comments Annwen Jones, CEO of Target Ovarian Cancer.
Currently, only 36 percent. ladies survive five years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which is a consequence of the advancement of the disease. Nearly a third of cases of this cancer are diagnosed in an emergency room hospital, according to the National Cancer Intelligence Network [the UK cancer registry – Onet].
Primary care physicians believe that ovarian cancer is initially asymptomatic. Valuable treatment time is lost due to misdiagnoses including colorectal cancer, kidney infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and poor diet.
In the last year, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidelines for the diagnosis of the fifth most common cancer in women in the UK to educate GPs. Key symptoms include feeling bloated, getting full too quickly, needing to urinate frequently or suddenly, and stomach pain.
Women who experience these symptoms frequently should be offered a blood test that detects the protein produced by cancer cells. A survey by the Ipsos MORI research institute shows that there has been some improvement in the awareness of primary care physicians in the last three years. A smaller percentage of them estimate that ovarian cancer can only be detected at a late stage of development. – We are determined to take actions that will create a better chance of survival for women exposed to this cancer – emphasizes Annwen Jones.
History Carolyn
It was almost a year before Carolyn Knight was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This delay, however, could have cost her her life. Today, Mrs. Knight realizes she had early signs of ovarian cancer – bloating, stomach cramps, feeling full after a few bites and fatigue. “I knew something was wrong, but I assumed it wasn’t that serious,” says Knight, 64, a graphic artist by profession.
In February 2008, almost six months after she first felt unwell, she consulted a primary care physician, who referred her to a specialist. – This one fell like a bomb with good news. He told me the tests showed it was not colon cancer, Knight recalls.
She returned to GP after weeks of ineffective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. She was sent for an ultrasound which only revealed the advancement of her cancer. After surgery, she was treated with chemotherapy. More than three years later, Mrs. Knight is still receiving chemotherapy but has come to terms with the fact that she is running out of treatment options. She hopes women will learn from her experiences. – Each of the symptoms may seem insignificant, but if they start to accumulate, you need to pay attention to them – he argues.
Regular visits to the gynecologist
It is worth remembering that regular visits to the gynecologist are very important. Many women avoid this doctor, while regular examinations allow to detect many dangerous diseases at an early stage. As a result, appropriate treatment can be undertaken earlier, which in turn increases the chance of a complete recovery.
Text: Martin Barrow
Also read: Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis. ROMA test