Ovarian Cancer Guide: Better Outcomes & Prevention Strategies

2. Ovarian Cancer – A Woman’s Guide – Improving Outcomes with Prevention and Patient Awareness

3. About this Presentation This presentation is intended to help women take an active role in their health care. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a health care professional in diagnosing and treating patients.

4. GCF Mission Statement • The mission of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) is to ensure public awareness of gynecologic cancer prevention, early diagnosis and proper treatment. • In addition the GCF supports research and training related to gynecologic cancers. • GCF advances this mission through public and private funds that aid in the development and implementation of programs to meet these goals.

5. Information Hotline: 800.444.4441 • A list of specially trained gynecologic oncologists practicing in your local area can be received by phone, fax or mail • Free educational brochures on gynecologic health are available

6. Ovarian Cancer Product Guide This guide has been prepared by a collaboration effort between the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) and ovarian cancer advocacy organizations. Call GCF’s information hotline at 800.444.4441 or visit the GCF Web site at www.thegcf.org to obtain a copy of this guide.

7. Women’s Cancer Network: www.wcn.org • Confidential ovarian, endometrial, cervical and breast cancer risk assessment • Comprehensive women’s cancer information including gynecologic, breast and colon • Find-A-Doctor • Information on current Phase III clinical trials

8. Ovarian Cancer • Second most common gynecologic cancer in the US • Over 22,000 new cases in 2007 • 70% of women are diagnosed present with advanced disease • Most common cause of death from gynecologic cancers • Over 15,000 deaths in 2007

9. Vulva Vagina Cervix Uterus Fallopian tubes Ovaries The female reproductive tract WebMD 2002

10. Types of Ovarian Cancer • Epithelial ovarian cancer • Most common, accounting for almost 90% of ovarian cancer • Germ cell cancer • Uncommon, accounting for only about 5% of ovarian cancer; usually found in adolescent girls and young women • Stromal cell cancer • Also uncommon

11. Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors • Risk increases with age, especially around the time of menopause • Family history of epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, peritoneal cancer, premenopausal breast cancer or male breast cancer • Personal history of premenopausal breast cancer • Infertility/not bearing children • Endometriosis

12. Ovarian Cancer and Heredity • Familial Breast-Ovarian Cancer Syndrome • Inherited from either parent; most commonly due to a mutation in BRCA 1 or 2 genes • Approximately 10 percent of U.S. women will develop breast cancer; almost 2 percent will develop ovarian cancer • Women with familial syndromes have up to an 80 percent chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer

13. Ovarian Cancer and Heredity • For women who have a strong family history of cancer, or a positive gene test, a number of preventive and treatment options exist: • Mammograms and breast MRIs • a blood test called CA 125 • pelvic ultrasounds • medications • lifestyle changes • preventive surgery

14. Ovarian Cancer Symptoms • There are symptoms—NOT a silent disease • Symptoms more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than in the general population: • Bloating • Increased abdominal pain • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly • Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency) • Ovarian cancer symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal • Ovarian cancer symptoms are typically present almost daily for more than a few weeks

15. Ovarian Cancer Symptoms • Other symptoms reported by women with ovarian cancer, but found with equal frequency in women without ovarian cancer: • Fatigue • Indigestion • Back pain • Pain with intercourse • Constipation • Menstrual irregularities

16. Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis • Vaginal - Rectal exam • Transvaginal or pelvic ultrasound • If an irregularity is found • CA 125 test • Radiographic studies such as CT Scan or MRI

17. Ovarian Cancer--The Importance of Specialty Care Gynecologic Oncologist: A physician with specialty training in the comprehensive surgical management and chemotherapy treatment for female reproductive cancers, including endometrial cancer

18. Ovarian Cancer--The Importance of Specialty Care Studies have shown that Gynecologic Oncologists: • Are 2 to 3 times more likely to provide surgical care consistent with national guidelines • Have higher rates of complete and “optimal” resection of ovarian cancer at initial surgery • Are 4 times more likely to perform comprehensive surgical staging • Provide care that results in 10 to 25% improved survival for women with ovarian cancer

19. Ovarian Cancer Treatment Usual Treatment Plan: • Surgery (preferably by a gynecologic oncologists) • Chemotherapy • Re-evaluate and adjust plan according to response • Observation • Additional Chemotherapy • Additional Surgery • Targeted therapies • Hormone therapy • Radiation therapy

20. Ovarian Cancer--Take Action • Know your risk • Log on to www.wcn.org and take a risk assessment • Learn the symptoms • If ovarian cancer is suspected or diagnosed • Insist on being referred to a gynecologic oncologist before you have surgery. • Share this information!

21. GCF Resources

22. GCF Resources GCF Ovarian Cancer Survivors Courses

23. 230 W. Monroe, Suite 2528 Chicago, Illinois 60606 312.578.1439 800.444.4441 www.thegcf.org www.wcn.org info@thegcf.org