"Steps You Can Take To Reduce Your Ovarian Cancer Risk" - Stephanie V. Blank, MD
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. Unfortunately, most of these cases won’t be found until the cancer is advanced and more challenging to treat. No effective routine screening test exists as yet, making ovarian cancer difficult to catch in its early stages. Stephanie V. Blank, MD, professor of gynecologic oncology, obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of women’s health at Mount Sinai Downtown- Chelsea Center said, “The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific to this disease; they can be caused by other, less serious conditions and experienced by anyone—women or men. Still, if you are a woman, you tend to know your own body, and it is important that you pay attention, and take it seriously if something doesn’t feel right.” She added that although any women can get ovarian cancer, several factors are associated with increased risk. These include obesity, having endometriosis, and never having had children.
- Stephanie V. Blank, MD, Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Director of Women's Health, Mount Sinai Downtown- Chelsea Center