Most women are unaware that approximately 25,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are detected each year, and more than half of these cases are fatal. The good news is that there are ways to decrease your risk. Increased knowledge and awareness of the disease can lead to early detection and a higher cure rate.
Experts say that early detection is the key to surviving ovarian cancer.
In addition to an annual exam, it is imperative that women speak with their doctors about their concerns with regard to this disease whether there may be a genetic link in their particular case, risk factors or symptoms. Dr. Method, who sees many women in the later stages of ovarian cancer, says the importance of early detection can't be stressed enough. In order to assess their risk level, women must be aware of their personal family history, as well as ancestral descent. Women who have immediate family members who have been diagnosed with ovarian, breast or colon cancer are considered at the highest risk. While there is no known method to prevent ovarian cancer, there are some precautions that appear to reduce a woman's risk of developing the disease.