By Sandra Ray, Staff Writer
The use of fertility drugs has also been linked
to an increase in ovarian cancer. The jury is still
out on this risk factor, however. Researchers from
the University of Pittsburgh failed to find a link
between fertility treatments and ovarian cancer
development. These researchers, instead, claim that
one of the underlying causes of infertility (namely
endometriosis) is the actual reason for the ovarian
cancer, not the fertility treatment. With this in
mind, women who are either considering fertility
drugs or who have already begun taking them should
discuss this risk with their personal physician to
find out the best advice for their overall health.
Age is a factor that a woman cannot escape. While
there are many younger women who are diagnosed with
ovarian cancer who do not exhibit any of the risk
factors, there is little denying the fact that women
over age 50 are diagnosed at higher rates than
younger women. A woman past menopause has a greater
probability of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer,
and the American Cancer Society reports that half of
the women diagnosed are over age 63.
Finally, a woman’s personal reproductive history
plays a role in whether or not she has a greater
chance of developing ovarian cancer. The earlier a
woman begins menses (before age 12), has children or
has children after age 30, and starts menopause
after age 50 has a great risk of ovarian cancer.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been indicated
as a risk factor in some studies, but not in others.
Some studies suggest that women who started taking
estrogen replacement after menopause and use it
long-term face a greater possibility of developing
ovarian cancer. Other studies have not born this
out. There are many valid reasons for taking HRT,
such as decreased risk of heart disease, less risk
of osteoporosis, not to mention relief from
menopausal symptoms. For these reasons and others, a
woman should weigh the benefits and concerns with
her doctor when making the decision to use or not to
use HRT. Researchers are still examining this risk
in light of the benefits it brings to a woman’s
health profile.
Environmental Factors:
A woman using talcum powder
when applied directly to the genital area or to
sanitary napkins can slightly increase the risk of
ovarian cancer. While not every study has found this
connection, some researchers surmise that the risk
associated with talcum powder was greater 20 years
ago when asbestos was an ingredient in some of these
powders. Modern day talcum powders do not use
asbestos, thus this could explain why some
researchers have not been able to firmly establish
this link.
There are many women who will still develop ovarian
cancer even if none of these factors are considered.
As discussed previously, age itself is a factor and
one that no woman can prevent. Caregivers should
discuss the above-mentioned risks with their loved
ones and with family physicians to find out whether
more testing is warranted.
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
(www.ovarian.org)
uses this slogan: Ovarian Cancer…it whispers, so
listen. Paying attention to a woman’s body
development and health concerns can do more to
diagnose ovarian cancer in the earliest stages than
can testing and attention to risk factors. When
diagnosed and treated earlier, a woman has better
than 90 percent chance of surviving ovarian cancer
after 5 years. If the disease isn’t caught until its
later stages, the survival rate can drop to as low
as 29 percent. Caregivers play an important role in
encouraging women to seek treatment early, no matter
what risk factors may or may not be involved.
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