FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Health experts say thousands of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year.<\/p>\n
Dr. Erin Blake is a gynecological oncologist at c-Care in northeast Fresno.<\/p>\n
She explains that it’s often hard to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages.<\/p>\n
“There’s no effective screening for ovarian cancer, and the signs and symptoms for ovarian cancer are very subtle,” she said.<\/p>\n
Symptoms include bloating, pelvic pain, decreased appetite or feeling full too quickly, just to name a few.<\/p>\n
The American Cancer Society says the disease mainly affects older women, and about half of those diagnosed with ovarian cancer are in their 60’s.<\/p>\n
Younger women are also at risk, and it can impact chances of fertility.<\/p>\n
“It often is hard to safely maintain that fertility because ovarian cancer is more aggressive and needs aggressive treatment,” Dr. Blake said.<\/p>\n
Doctors say treatment options usually include a combination of chemotherapy and surgery.<\/p>\n
From 2012 to 2021, the incidents of ovarian cancer went down by almost 2 percent.<\/p>\n
Health experts are attributing the drop to some common family planning practices.<\/p>\n
“Reduction of the number of times that you ovulate,” Dr. Blake said. “We see substantial reduction in your risk of ovarian cancer by using hormonal contraceptives because you’re ovulating less.”<\/p>\n
There is also another life-saving measure to help reduce the risk.<\/p>\n
“When you’re done with fertility, removal of the fallopian tubes, or what’s called a salpingectomy,” Dr. Blake said.<\/p>\n
Since 1976, ovarian cancer deaths have dropped by 43%, leaving many hopeful in the fight for improved women’s health.<\/p>\n
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