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What are the latest findings concerning breast and ovarian cancer?
Improved treatment and early detection through routine mammography in women over 40 years of age and in younger women with family history of breast cancer have improved the survival rate of breast cancer patients by 2% per year over the last ten years. In addition to getting regular mammograms, any changes in the breast should be evaluated by a physician. A higher risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer can be determined by genetic testing for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Women with a family history or heightened genetic risk of developing breast cancer may consider hormone therapy (Tamoxifen is the most common treatment), which has been shown to decrease the incidence of breast cancer in women at high risk (www.breastcancer.org).
Unfortunately, ovarian cancer remains more difficult to detect at the early and most curable stages. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are fairly nonspecific and often go undiagnosed. Change in urine production, bowl movements, gas production, indigestion, or weight in addition to pelvic pain, painful intercourse, or feeling of fullness should be discussed with a physician and an exam should be scheduled. The CA125 blood test is fairly unreliable, so new markers of ovarian cancer detection are under evaluation (Cancer Consultants Oncology Resource Center). A novel blood test in development referred to as OvaCheck™ appears to be more accurate at detecting early stage ovarian cancer (Lab Test Online at www.labtestsonline.org/news/ovacheck040606.html). A new "ovarian pap test" under clinical evaluation employs laparoscopy to collect surface ovary cells which can be examined microscopically for cancer (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition). A blood test which measures hypermethylation (chemical modification) of the BRCA1 and RASSF1A genes is under evaluation. Visit the video library at Dr.Koop.com for videos on breast biopsy, MRI guided biopsy, and freezing breast tumors, along with other informative videos.
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