Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Ovarian Cancer
Ovaries are the reproductive glands found in females. Each female has 2 ovaries located in the lower abdomen on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs for reproduction and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
1/75 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime
Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer
Family history of ovarian cancer
Increased risk if you have a first degree relative with the disease, >2 relatives with the disease, and if relative was diagnosed before 50 years old
BRCA gene mutations
Lynch syndrome
Family history of certain cancers
Women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk
Family history of colorectal, uterine, or pancreatic cancer also increases risk
Personal history of breast cancer
Same risk factors for breast cancer that are related to menstruation history may increase risk of ovarian cancer such as starting period early (<11 years old) or starting menopause later (> 55 years old)
Pregnancy
Women who have never been pregnant have higher risk
Hormone replacement therapy
Increased risk with estrogen alone or combination therapy
Longer you take estrogen, the greater the risk
Smoking tobacco
Asbestos
Tall adult height
Increased risk due to developmental factors such as growth and puberty hormones
Excess weight
Endometriosis
Sedentary behavior
Types of Ovarian Cancer
Each type is classified according to which type of ovarian cell they start from (epithelial, germ, or stromal cells)
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Most common type (about 85% – 95% of cases) and these cells are found on the outer surface of the fallopian tube or ovary.
Germ Cell Tumours
Approximately 5%-10% of cases and these cells are found inside the ovary and form the eggs.
They can occur in people at any age but tend to affect those in their twenties.
Stromal Cell Ovarian Cancer
Very rare type and these cells form the structural tissue that hold the ovary together.
These cells also produce female hormones, and so this type is characterized by symptoms related to hormone production, such as the appearance of facial hair, infrequent menstrual periods, menstrual periods after menopause, and a hoarse voice.
Tend to occur in younger individuals and are found in earlier stages, therefore having a higher survival rate.
Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer
Recently, ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers are now considered to be the same disease, indistinguishable under the microscope and called by different names only because of differences in the distribution of the cancer. As such, symptoms and treatment are the same as for ovarian cancer.
Detection/Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect since there is NO effective screening test for this disease.
Symptoms are vague and mimic other more common and benign conditions.
Common symptoms include bloating, abdominal/pelvic pain or discomfort, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary changes.
Less common symptoms include changes to bowel habits, nausea, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, bleeding after menopause, menstrual irregularities, back pain, indigestion, pain with intercourse, and bleeding after sex.
It is important to speak to your doctor if you notice any symptoms that are new to you, that persist for 3 weeks or longer, or that happen frequently.
These symptoms do not mean that you have ovarian cancer but do warrant further investigations which can be done with an ultrasound, and possibly CA-125 blood test.
Also, in many cases of ovarian cancer, no symptoms are experienced.
If ovarian cancer is suspected, a diagnosis can be made with a surgical biopsy. This would be done by a gynecologic oncologist and a referral would be required.
Resources:
Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is part of a male’s reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The prostate gland has three main functions:
The production of seminal fluid (the liquid and nutrients that sperm need to survive) in semen
As a muscle, to help evacuate sperm during ejaculation
The control of urine flow, as the prostate surrounds the urethra
Statistics:
It is the #1 most diagnosed and most prevalent cancer in Canadian men; about 20% of new cancer cases
Most cases are in men over the age of 50.
It is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in males
Almost all prostate cancer is treatable, and, it can often be eliminated, if it is diagnosed early
Only 4% of males are expected to die from prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer can either be localized, locally advanced, or metastatic.
Localized: prostate cancer confined to the prostate
Locally advanced: confined to prostate or, spreading through glands and invading tissues adjacent to prostate
Metastatic: spread to other sites of the body including lymph nodes, bones, and other organs in the body
Signs & Symptoms:
Changes in urination:
increased frequency, reduced flow, a feeling of difficulty to empty the bladder, or the presence of blood in the urine (more often associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) than prostate cancer)
Changes in sexual function:
painful or decreased volume of ejaculation, difficulty achieving an erection
In advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer:
pain, fatigue, weight loss, lower extremity swelling, numbness or tingling, generally feeling unwell
Lumps or hardening felt on the prostate during a digital rectal exam
Abnormal prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in blood
PSA tests are not covered by OHIP unless you are deemed to be high risk due to family history, previously abnormal PSA test, or other risk factors
Screening using a PSA test should be discussed with your health care provider if you are over 50 years old
If a patient presents with abnormal signs, then a referral to urology would be made to ensure other conditions are ruled out and to determine if a biopsy is required for diagnosis.
Risk Factors:
Age
Race: African Canadian and Caribbean-Canadian men are at highest risk
Black men are 76% more likely to be diagnosed and are more likely to die from prostate cancer
Family history of prostate cancer
BRCA 2 or breast cancer gene in the family
Obesity; high calorie, high fat diets
Treatment Options:
Radical prostatectomy
Surgery that involves a complete removal of the prostate gland and the surrounding tissues, including parts of the bladder and the seminal vesicles.
Radiation
Advanced disease:
Androgen Deprivation Therapy – to reduce testosterone levels
Chemotherapy
Common Benign (Non-Cancer) Prostate Diseases *these can also increase PSA levels
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
As a man ages, his prostate increases in size which may constrict the urethra and decrease urine flow.
Symptoms:
Incomplete emptying of the bladder
Frequent, weak urination
Straining to urinate
Needing to urinate several times a night
Treatments:
First: medication.
Severe or progressive cases may require surgery
Prostatitis
Infection or inflammation of the prostate.
Signs:
Frequent and urgent urination
Slowed urine stream
Pain near the prostate (rectum, genitals, lower back/abdomen)
High PSA
Treatments:
Antibiotics & Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil)
Resources:
