Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Ovarian Cancer: A Call for Action
In the United States, September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Ovarian cancer remains a silent killer, often detected at advanced stages when treatment options are limited. As we observe Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this September, it is crucial to shed light on this lesser-known form of cancer and promote dialogue about its prevention and early detection.
A recent encounter with a patient whose sister tragically succumbed to ovarian cancer brought the urgency of this disease to my attention. She proudly displayed her turquoise-painted nails, a symbol of support for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Prior to my career in genetic counseling, I, like many others, was unaware of the impact of ovarian cancer until I received specialized training in cancer genetic counseling. Now, the mention of ovarian cancer weighs heavily on my heart.
The Reality of Ovarian Cancer: A Statistical Insight
Providing valuable insights into cancer incidence and survival rates, the Program for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER), administered by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, offers a comprehensive understanding of ovarian cancer’s impact. With information collected from nearly half of the U.S. population, SEER data reveals a concerning 5-year survival rate of approximately 51% for ovarian cancer. When compared to prostate cancer, with a 97% survival rate, and breast cancer, with a 91% survival rate, the figure for ovarian cancer is alarmingly low.
Early Diagnosis Challenges and Symptoms
Ovarian cancer is characterized by its elusive nature, often withholding symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Included among these symptoms are abdominal cramping, abdominal or pelvic pain, early satiety, and frequent urination. Regrettably, many patients report experiencing these symptoms for a significant period before obtaining a proper diagnosis, leaving them feeling unheard and frustrated. As a genetic counselor, it is heart-wrenching to counsel these patients while suppressing personal emotions.
The Role of Genetic Factors
Research has indicated that genetic factors contribute to approximately 15-20% of ovarian cancer cases. Among the most common genetic factors are pathological mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Recent additions to the list of known genes associated with ovarian cancer include those linked to Lynch syndrome (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM), BRIP1, RAD51C, RAD51D, and PALB2. The presence of a BRCA1 genetic mutation increases a woman’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer by up to 40%, while a BRCA2 mutation raises the risk by up to 20%. These probabilities are undeniably staggering.
Addressing the Lack of Screening Methods
Despite continuous efforts, there is currently no proven screening method for early detection or improved survival rates in ovarian cancer. Consequently, the standard in the United States is to perform ovarian and fallopian tube resections at specific ages, such as 35-40 years for BRCA1 carriers and 40-45 years for BRCA2 carriers. For individuals associated with other genes mentioned above, the recommended course of action is undergoing these surgeries when the lifetime incidence of ovarian cancer exceeds 5%. Although 5% may not seem significantly high, it highlights the severity of the consequences if ovarian cancer were to develop.
Raising Awareness for Underrepresented Cancers
When we think of hereditary cancers, breast cancer often dominates the conversation due to substantial research efforts and funding. As a result, valuable information about the genetic factors involved in breast cancer has been discovered, empowering patients to receive appropriate screening recommendations. However, it is disheartening that other cancers, such as ovarian cancer, do not receive the same level of attention. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to witness a gradual increase in awareness among patients and medical professionals, leading to more individuals undergoing genetic testing upon ovarian cancer diagnosis or when they have a family history of the disease.
As we honor Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this September, our thoughts turn to friends and family members who have lost their lives to this devastating disease. It is disheartening that our current preventive measures primarily rely on resection for patients with a family history of ovarian cancer or those found to possess genetic mutations linked to the disease. May the advancements in science and technology in the future contribute to a decrease in the number of individuals suffering from ovarian cancer.
In the United States, September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. A patient whose sister died a few days ago from ovarian cancer showed me that she had painted her nail polish in turquoise to celebrate Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (a turquoise ribbon is used to symbolize ovarian cancer). Before I chose a career in genetic counseling, I had never even heard of ovarian cancer until I received training in cancer genetic counseling. These days, hearing the word ovarian cancer makes me feel heavy.
SEER (Program for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) provided by the US National Cancer Institute – a program that collects statistical data on cancer incidence and survival rates. Information is collected from a registration system covering approximately 48% of the US population. According to the data, the 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is about 51% (the survival rate seems quite high compared to the 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer, which is about 97%, and the 5 year survival rate for breast cancer, which is 91% This is an extremely low figure.
Photo provided by Getty Images
It is known that a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer at around 1.3%, which means that it is one of the cancers that is diagnosed less commonly than other cancers. However, when cancer develops, early diagnosis is difficult because no specific symptoms appear until it is significantly advanced. Symptoms that appear to be cancer, such as abdominal cramping, abdominal or pelvic pain, early satiety, and frequent urination, so it often takes a long time to reach a diagnosis correct Among the patients I met at the clinic, many complained that they had these symptoms to their doctor for a long time, but they were not properly diagnosed. I remember holding on to my low heart and giving counseling while holding back tears.
As previously mentioned, studies have shown that genetic factors account for approximately 15 to 20% of ovarian cancers. Among them, the most common genetic factors are known to be pathological mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Other known genes include those associated with Lynch syndrome (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM), BRIP1, RAD51C, RAD51D, and PALB2, which were added to the latest guidelines. Patients with a BRCA1 genetic mutation have an increased lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer of up to 40%, and in the case of a BRCA2 genetic mutation, the risk increases by up to 20%. That’s an absurdly high probability.
As there is still no proven screening method to help with survival rate and early diagnosis when ovarian cancer develops, in the United States, ovarian and fallopian tube resection is performed at an appropriate age (35-40 years for BRCA1, 40-45 years for). BRCA2) This is the standard. For other genes mentioned above, ovarian and fallopian tube resection is recommended when the lifetime incidence of ovarian cancer is known to be higher than 5% (5% may not seem like a very high probability, but it gives give you an idea of how serious the consequences will be if it happens. I can see it.
When you think of hereditary cancer, what cancer comes to mind first? Probably the first thing that many people think of is breast cancer. Breast cancer is probably the type of cancer that has invested the most effort and funding in genetic cancer research. Thus, much information was discovered about the genetic factors of breast cancer, and as a result, many patients were able to receive appropriate screening recommendations. I think he is very lucky. However, my heart aches for cancers that don’t get as much attention. Still, it is somewhat comforting to know that as patient and medical staff awareness gradually increases, more and more patients are undergoing genetic testing after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer or when they have a family history of ovarian cancer. ovary
As September marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I think of friends and family members who have died from ovarian cancer. It is very difficult now that we cannot provide consultation on prevention methods other than resection for patients who come to hospital with a family history of ovarian cancer or patients who have been found to have genetic mutations linked to ovarian cancer. ovary I pray that through the development of science and technology in the future, the number of people suffering from ovarian cancer will decrease.
Park Min-seon, genetic counselor
Genetic counselor Park Min-seon graduated from the master’s program in genetic counseling at the Graduate School of Northwestern University in Chicago and obtained her US genetic counselor license in 2018. After graduation, I work as a cancer genetic counselor at Memorial Hospital Northwestern in the same area. Additionally, as a faculty member at Northwestern University, he participates in the admissions review committee for the genetic counseling master’s program and is responsible for practical training and thesis guidance for genetic counseling master’s program students.
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