Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - PARRISH - 51

confi rmation. This includes pelvic
exams, ultrasound, CT scans, MRIs,
tissue biopsies and blood tests. A
gynecologic oncologist can perform
surgery to decrease the tumor size,
intraperitoneal chemotherapy and
other lifesaving procedures.
Over the last few years, several new
targeted treatments have been developed, thanks to the perseverance of
doctors, researchers and patients.
PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase)
inhibitors are indicated for treatment
of advanced ovarian cancer. This class
of drugs, including olaparib, rucaparib and niraparib, can help repair
damage to DNA inside cells. There
is great optimism supported by hard
data that these drugs will change the
story for people with this disease.
Regardless of the research, there is
always hope.
I dedicate this article to two strong,
brave women: Laurie, a young woman
whose disease took her before PARP
inhibitors were designed, and Pat, an
older woman who I hope will benefit
from these innovations. ■

1

50%

Oral contraceptives
can decrease your
ovarian cancer risk
by about half after
five years

How to Lower Your Risk
Even though ovarian cancer is not entirely preventable, you can help reduce your risk.
3 Maintain a healthy weight.
3 Consume pungent foods, such as garlic and ginger.
3 Eat dark green vegetables, such as kale, spinach and broccoli.
3 Take oral contraceptives (after five years, they can decrease your risk by about 50%).
3 Undergo tubal ligation or hysterectomy gynecologic surgery.

IT STARTS WITH A PELVIC
EXAM. Many women older than
65 have had a hysterectomy or
have been told they no longer need
Pap smears, so they don't get annual
pelvic exams. (The average age of diagnosis of ovarian cancer is 63.)
Even if they do get a pelvic exam,
the ovaries have shrunk, and a small
growth would be difficult to feel.

test because it is not
sensitive enough to be
a valid screening and
will miss a lot of cancers.
Some women who are
at high risk for ovarian
cancer will get annual
CA 125 tests as part of
their routine gynecologic care.

2

3

THE NEXT STEP IS AN
ULTRASOUND TO GET A
BETTER LOOK. These can
detect growths, but you cannot
always tell by the shape whether it is
benign or malignant (cancerous).
A blood test called CA 125 helps.
But not every woman gets this annual

like mold on bread. Each
spot where cancer has
spread will secrete fluid,
resulting in massive fluid
buildup and swelling
of the abdomen. The
pressure causes pain,
Pamela Tronetti,
vomiting, anorexia, bowel
DO, AGSF, PMC
obstruction and diffi Senior Services
Medical Director
culty breathing.
Chemotherapy is used to destroy
ONCE A DIAGNOSIS IS
these deadly growths.
MADE, WE FOCUS ON
It is always a battle, and it's easier
TREATMENT, but ovarian
to win if we fire the first shot. Talk to
cancer is tough to defeat.
your doctor about your risk factors,
The first stage of treatment is
and ask whether testing for ovarian
removing the ovaries and any visible
cancer should be part of the worktumor. This is difficult because the
up for any abdominal symptoms you
cancer spreads across the abdomen
are experiencing.

FALL 2019

51
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