Ovarian Cancer Survival
Overall, ovarian cancer survival rates are very slim. Of all the women who get ovarian cancer, only 35 to 38 percent of them will survive, though even then there’s no assurance the cancer won’t return after five years. Yet, the medical community is not giving up hope when it comes to ovarian cancer survival. This is because many studies are being conducted to determine what can make ovarian cancer survival rates more successful. Many of these studies are through researching new drug treatments or simply analyzing the cancer sufferers themselves. Either way, with each new find, there is greater hope that the ovarian cancer survival rate will be much more positive.
One study that has been done is researching the link between ovarian cancer survival and women who have the breast cancer genes BRCA1 or BRCA2. Such a finding is very ironic, since research has also shown that these women are more at risk for ovarian cancer, (as well as breast cancer). Yet, once they get it, if they get it their overall survival rate is much higher. The specific figure, (at least according to a study done by an Israeli research team), is 29 percent. Researchers don’t fully understand why these women have greater ovarian cancer survival rates, though they speculate it’s because they respond better to chemotherapy treatments.
Speaking of chemotherapy, there is another study being done that indicates there’s an increased ovarian cancer survival rate for women who get chemotherapy in their abdomens rather than other regions, even the ovaries themselves. This increase is about 16 months. What happens is the chemotherapy is injected directly into the abdomen as well as a vein. The chemicals associated with the chemotherapy then go about attacking the tumors in the abdomen. Yet, there is a downside to using this technique to try and improve ovarian cancer survival rates. This downside is due to the fact that the procedure tends to cause other problems that may even be life-threatening to the woman. Examples include infection and a low white blood count. These are the last problems a woman needs, especially since her body is already compromised trying to fight the ovarian cancer.
Lastly, research indicates that there is an increased ovarian cancer survival rate for women who are able to catch their cancer early. In fact, this particular figure is much more positive, as it is around 98 percent. So, why aren’t more women beating the disease? It’s because trying to catch ovarian cancer early can be difficult. For the woman the symptoms it does produce may not seem that major, and for the doctor, the tumors aren’t as visible as they are when the disease progresses. There are also no official screening tests for ovarian cancer. In fact, it is through these difficulties that over 60 percent of diagnosed ovarian cancer cases indicate cancer that has progressed to a stage that is nearly impossible to treat, at least for the long-term.
All in all more research needs to be done to help make the ovarian cancer survival rate higher. Until then women need to keep their health in check by making regular visits to their physicians and gynecologists.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are usually pretty easy to spot. Symptoms include problems with digestion, abdominal pains and swelling, problems with gas and regularly experiences nausea. These are the signs that you will first see, as the cancer develops more symptoms will be seen.
Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates
It’s a shame but only 35 percent of women who get ovarian cancer will survive the terrible cancer. Researchers however are searching for a new drug which will increase the chance of ovarian cancer suffers surviving, initial research has been positive however it will be some time before they find a drug that cures cancer completely.