Facts about Ovarian Cancer in Canada

• Each year, approximately 2,400 women are diagnosed in Canada with ovarian cancer and 1,700 women die from ovarian cancer. It is the most fatal gynecologic cancer.
• There is no screening test for early detection, so women and health professionals must rely on symptoms to bring the disease to their attention.
• If ovarian cancer is detected early and treated, the survival rate is as high as 90%.
• Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is usually detected in the late stages, when five-year survival is as low as 20%.
• A Pap smear does NOT detect ovarian cancer - it detects problems with the cervix.
• The HPV vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer, NOT ovarian cancer.

It´s Important To Know...

See your family doctor

if you have one or more of these symptoms

and they last longer then 3 weeks:

• Swelling or bloating of the abdomen
• Pelvic discomfort or heaviness
• Back or Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Gas, nausea, indigestion
• Change in bowel habits
• Emptying your bladder frequently
• Menstrual irregularities
• Weight loss or weight gain

It´s Important To Know...

What increases risk of ovarian cancer

• Family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer
• Never having children
• Getting older - it´s most common after age 50
• Never having used oral contraceptives

All women are at risk of getting ovarian cancer – but some are at higher risk.

It´s Important To Know...

What reduces the risk of ovarian cancer

• Birth control pills
• Breast feeding
• Term pregnancies
• Tubal ligation
• Removal of the ovaries if risk is high

It´s Important to know... What you can do!

• Have a vaginal/rectal (bimanual) pelvic exam every year.
• Let your doctor know if you have had symptoms for more than 3 weeks and ask about:
• a vaginal/rectal (bimanual) pelvic exam
• a transvaginal ultrasound
• a CA-125 blood test

Even if the tests are negative, ask for referral to a gynecologist or a gynecologic oncologist if symptoms persist.

• If you have a family history, speak with your doctor about gene6tic counseling.
• If your doctor suspects ovarian cancer, see a gynecologist. To find one in your area contact Ovarian Cancer Canada toll free at 1-877-413-7970 or info@ovariancanada.org.

CA-125 and Screening

• The CA-125 blood test measures levels of a protein that can be affected by many health factors. It is NOT a screening test for the early detection of ovarian cancer.
• There is NO reliable screening test for the early detection of ovarian cancer.
• The CA-125 test is unreliable as a screening tool for ovarian cancer because it produces too many false positive and false negative results.
• It shows a true positive result for only about 50% of women with ovarian cancer at an early and more curable stage (Stage 1).
• A false positive result can be caused by inflammatory condition such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, early pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• The CA-125 test is less likely to detect ovarian cancer in younger women compared to women who have gone through menopause.

CA-125 as a diagnostic tool

• The CA-125 in conjunction with other tests, is a useful diagnosis tool when a woman experiences persistent symptoms. A CA-125 should not be used alone to detect ovarian cancer.

Be persistent; find a doctor that you are comfortable talking with.