September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making now a perfect
time to discuss how these two diseases often intersect.
Based on current
information today, women in the United States have approximately a 1 in 8
lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, and approximately 1 in 70
lifetime risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. While this means that
ovarian cancer is much less common, it’s important to note that the two cancers
can be linked in several ways.
While some of the
reproductive risk factors for these two cancers are similar, genetics clearly
plays a large part in this connection. Indications that women may have a
genetic predisposition for either of these cancers include a family history of
breast and/or ovarian cancer (as well as other cancers), and the presence of
the BRCA gene, among others.
Our understanding
of cancer and genetics is continuously evolving. However, there is a strong
link between the BRCA gene and a family history of certain types of cancer. If
you have this personal or family history, talk to your health care provider
about whether genetic testing makes sense.
Awareness provides opportunities
It’s important to note that while the risks
are elevated for women with a family history or genetic predisposition toward
breast and ovarian cancers, most women will still never get them.
Having a family history, or even testing
positive for the BRCA gene, does not mean you will absolutely get cancer. But
it provides the opportunity for us to discuss a plan to reduce your modifiable
risk factors, stay up to date on screening modalities, and be attuned to any
early signs or symptoms of a problem so they can be addressed immediately.
The best outcomes for most cancer treatments
involve diagnosis at the earliest possible stage, and this is true for both
breast and ovarian cancer. Because ovarian cancer is a dangerously “silent” disease with few obvious symptoms, it is
often diagnosed at later stages. This is a major factor that contributes to
ovarian cancer being one of the leading causes of death from a gynecologic
cancer in the United States.
Any early indication that you may be at
increased risk for developing ovarian cancer only allows us to be more vigilant and proactive
in screening. We don’t want patients to be
overly worried; but at the same time, people need to have this important
information to help take control of their health.
If you are
concerned about your risk factors for ovarian or other gynecologic cancer, schedule an appointment so we can talk about addressing them.
