Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment
Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment
Ovarian cancer ranks 5th among all cancer deaths for women. Ovarian cancer is most
common in older women. This tool will help you figure out if you are at higher risk
for ovarian cancer. It is not a complete look at all risks. For a complete look at
your risks, see your healthcare provider.
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About Your results
The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance for ovarian cancer. Below is a list of these risk factors along with a brief explanation of how each
risk relates to you according to the answers you gave.
Reproductive history
Obesity
Hormone therapy
Surgical history
Oral contraceptives
Personal and family history
Genetic mutations
About risk factors
Most women with ovarian cancer don’t have any known risk factors. Still, it’s important
to know about risk factors. All women are at risk of developing ovarian cancer, but
the risk is generally low. Family history of ovarian cancer and gene mutations are
major factors that raise the risk for ovarian cancer. If this assessment shows that
you have higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, you should discuss this with your
healthcare provider. The risk of developing ovarian cancer goes up with age. This
cancer generally happens after menopause. Although most cases of ovarian cancer are
diagnosed in older women, the disease can still occur in younger women.
Early cancers of the ovaries tend to cause vague symptoms. They can be caused by many
conditions that are not cancer. These symptoms include:
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General abdominal discomfort or pain. This includes gas, indigestion, pressure, swelling,
bloating, and cramps. - Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or frequent urination
- Feeling of fullness even after a light meal
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired all the time
- Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
If you have these symptoms—especially if they last more than a few weeks—see your
healthcare provider for a complete evaluation.
If your risk for ovarian cancer is high, your provider may suggest having checkups
more often. That way, if cancer develops, it can be found and treated as early as
possible. Some exams and tests that your healthcare provider might do are:
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Pelvic exam. This is done to look at the uterus, ovaries, bladder, and rectum. The doctor looks
for any problems in their shape or size. He or she also looks to see if the fallopian
tubes are dilated or filled with fluid. (A Pap test is used to find cancer of the
cervix. It is often done along with the pelvic exam, but it is not a reliable way
to find or diagnose ovarian cancer.) -
Transvaginal ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian
tubes. This is done to figure out whether a growth is likely to be a cancer or a fluid-filled
cyst. -
CA-125. Blood tests for ovarian cancer may include measuring the amount of CA-125. This is
a protein that may be higher in women with ovarian cancer. This test is not always
accurate because other diseases can raise the blood levels of CA-125. This makes a
false positive. Some ovarian cancers may not make enough CA-125. This makes a false
negative. -
Genetic testing. If you have close family members who have had breast or ovarian cancer, your provider
may talk with you about genetic testing. This will tell you if you have a mutation
in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, or if you have HNPCC. These genetic conditions have been
linked to increased risk for ovarian, breast, and colorectal cancer.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional health care. Always
consult with a healthcare provider for advice concerning your health. Only your healthcare
provider can determine if you have ovarian cancer.