Signs Of Ovarian Cancer You Might Miss - Elizabeth Yuko
Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of death in women ages 35 to 74. The tricky part is that the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be easy to dismiss according to 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 Chelsea Center. Some of these include bloating, bowel changes, abnormal urination and pelvic discomfort, she said. "Because there is not one hallmark symptom, you need a high index of suspicion to make the diagnosis," Dr. Blank explains. "Ovarian cancer is not necessarily at the top of the list of considerations, so oftentimes; patients will have had tests for many other conditions before the diagnosis is made." Women with genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer are most at risk, she added, including women with genetic mutations in some of the genes we know to be associated with ovarian cancer - BRCA1 and BRCA2 as well as several others.
- Stephanie V. Blank, MD, Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director of Women's Health, Mount Sinai Chelsea Center
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