Who is at risk?

Ovarian cancer is one of the "silent killers". many of it's symptoms can be attributed to hundreds of other things – symptoms include being bloated, back pain, abdominal pain. some of the "gynaecological" symptoms it causes – such as vaginal bleeding – generally lead to women having a pelvic and trans-vaginal ultrasound scan which will pick up any ovarian masses.

The highest risk group are women who are BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 positive (these are genetic anomalies), these women are also at increased risk for breast cancer as well. this group of women will be offered screening for breast and ovarian cancer, but will also be offered prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and oopherectomy (surgical removal of both breasts and ovaries) due to the very high risk category these women occupy.

Other groups at risk are those who have never been pregnant, infertile women and those on HRT and the oral contraceptive.

Every woman is at risk as long as she has ovaries. However, if you have a family history of this, then I strongly urge you to take the BRACCA test. it is a DNA test done to determine if you are at risk. it will give you a percentage of a risk factor as well as risk of cervical cancer or uterine cancer. I had this test done and it's no different than than having blood drawn. it takes about 4-6 months before you get results. I know this because my sister had 4th stage ovarian cancer. Usually if a woman has cancer that far advanced, her chances of survival are very low. in fact, my sister was given 6 mo to live. She had a complete hysterectomy at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, She had tumors on each ovary the size of grapefruits. the doctors at this hospital are the best in this country as far as I'm concerned. while they were in there, they scraped all surrounding tissue in case there were cancer cells there. her symptoms were abdominal pain and she bloated so much she had was is called a barrel figure. they told her this happened because the tumors were putting pressure on her lymph nodes and preventing proper elimination of fluids. When they opened her up, the MD told her that fluid gushed out of her abdomen. She was seeing another MD before she went to Boston and he told her it was her gall bladder. Yeah, right. anyway, she was in pain from this with good reason. That surgery was 2 yrs ago and she is considered cured. She keeps going back for more tests to determine if the cancer has spread anywhere else. her doctors consider her a miracle because even after surgery, they did not hold out much hope because her cancer was so advanced. That's when they recommended the rest of her sisters to have the BRACCA test to see if we were at risk. this test will also tell you if you are at risk for breast cancer, which I had. Your insurance will pay for it especially if there is a history of it in your family. Even if there's a histroy of breast cancer, then you should have this test. the symptoms don't usually manifest themselves until it's bad, not as bad as hers, but most of the time, tumors have already formed by the time you get symptoms. I can't stress enough the importance of the BRACCA test. I hope this helps.

This is the most common gynaecological malignancy, and the second most prevalent cause of deaths among female cancer patients in tha world. With the number of cases diagnosed increasing over the years, the importance of early detection and treatment is becoming more apparent.

What is the cervic?

The cervic is the neck of the womb, which is where a foetus develops during pregnancy. the cervic leads to a passage called the vagina and to the exterior of the body.

How does cancer of the cervic occur?

When cancer develops in the cervic, cells start to behave abnormally. They start multiplying very quickly, building up into a lump or tumour. If left untreated, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system.

This cancer can take years to develop. However, before it develops, early changes take place in the cells on the surface of the cervic. this is called the pre-cancerous stage. at this point, the abnormal cells can easily be detected through Pap Smear test.

Symptoms to look out for

Several physical symptoms may indicate the development of this cancer. If you experience any of these, your doctor should be consulted immediately:

* Watery, foul smelling vaginal discharge.* Painful intercourse.* Vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex.* any vaginal bleeding after menopause.

Risk factors for cancer for the cervic

* Sexual habits – beginning sexual intercourse at a young age or having multiple partners.* Infectious agent – the Human Papilloma Virus has been scientifically linked to cancer of the cervic.* Poor personal hygiene.* Tobacco smoking.* Increasing age – the highest frequency of this cancer has been detected in women aged 40 to 49.

A Pap Smear test is your protection against cervical cancer

A sexually active woman may develop cancer of the cervic and it is vital to detect and treat the cancer early. A Pap Smear test is an effective way to test for cancerous or potentially cancerous cells. It is a simple, painless test that can detect cancer of the cervic at an early stage when simple treatment can result in a total cure.

How is a Pap Smear test done?

A Pap Smear test is usually quite painless. A qualified doctor or nurse will do an internal examination by gently taking cells from the surface of the cervic speculum using a spatula to open. the cells are then placed on a glass slide, which will then be sent to a laboratory for a microscopic examination.

Why is a Pap Smear Test so important?

A Pap Smear test can detect abnormal cells, which reflect changes in the cervic before the cancer sets in. If treated early, the cancer will not develop further. An internal medical examination will also be done simultaneously as a Pap Smear test to help detect other abnormal conditions or infections of the reproductive tract.

Who needs a Pap Smear test?

All women aged 20 and above – particularly those who are sexually active – will need a Pap Smear test. It should be done as a precautionary measure once a year. you need not necessarily have any symptoms of cancer to have this test done.

When should a test be done?

A test is best done in the middle of the menstrual cycle, seven or 10 days after the start of menstruation.

What will the follow-up action be?

If any abnormalities are found, you will be treated or referred for further investigation and treatment.

Where are Pap Smear tests available?

You can have a Pap Smear test done at:

* Government health centres* Family planning clinics* Private hospitals/clinics

Protect yourself against cancer of the cervic. make sure you have a Pap Smear test every year. It will not only ensure early detection, but also greatly increase your chances of a complete cure.