Routine screening key for early detection of ovarian cancer: Experts

Even as ovarian cancers are diagnosed at a later stage routine screening programmes can help in the early detection of the deadly cancer which is known to be the fifth most common cause of death in women health experts said on SundayOvarian cancer is dangerous because it often goes undetected until it has spread beyond the ovaries and the symptoms can also be attributed to other conditionsThe incidence of ovarian cancer in India is influenced by multiple factorsldquoOne important contributing cause is the absence of routine screening programmes and early detection techniques which frequently results in diagnosis at advanced stages with few treatment options and a dismal prognosisrdquo Dr Kanav Kumar a surgical oncologist at the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Head amp Neck Cancer Institute of India Mumbai saidTiming diagnosis and treatment is often made more difficult by restricted availability of healthcare services especially in rural areasOvarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of death in women and that is because ovarian cancers are diagnosed at a later stageldquoThere are no good ways of catching this early so we can do a C125 estimation Its not very sensitive or very specific for ovarian cancer It can be attributed to different conditions the majority of patients will present at a later stagerdquo said Dr Pritam Kataria consultant medical oncology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation HospitalAnd so there is a likelihood of missing out on these patients when they arrive there is a higher risk of mortality associated with this disease when they are diagnosedStudies have shown that ageing and menopause can increase the spread of ovarian and other cancersDr Kumar explained it is because a woman tends to accumulate genetic mutations and gets environmentally exposed to various carcinogensldquoOlder age at menopause longer reproductive life is also associated with an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer due to the increased number of ovulations and a higher exposure to reproductive hormones oestrogens and progesteronesrdquo Dr Kumar explainedOvarian cancer risk factors also include obesity endometriosis and the use of hormone replacement therapy HRT particularly if HRT is used for a long timeWomen nearing menopause should be careful with any symptoms like a lump in the abdomen or lump in the breast or changes in the bowel habits or postmenopausal bleed or something related to bloating sensation in the stomachThese could be some signs and symptoms of the different cancers notably the ovarian cancersrdquo said doctorsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever