So, it has been a period of enlightening us about Ovarian cancer as we celebrated World Ovarian Cancer day a few days ago. We trust you have been telling friends and loved ones on the need to know about ovarian cancer and prompt help seeking behavior whenever there is a significant index of suspicion.

We have had an overview of ovarian cancer, its risk factors, symptoms, types and diagnosis. Today, we take a look at its prevention, treatment options available and the survival rate.

Treatment

There are a variety of treatment options available to tackle ovarian cancer and help patients return to their normal day-to-day activities. However, the choice of treatment options is dependent on quite a number of factors comprising:

• Level of cancer progression (stage and grade)
• Type of ovarian cancer
• Age of patient affected
• General wellbeing of patient
• Cost of treatment and affordability
• Patients’ choice of treatment after considering the different treatment options.

The different treatment options include:

• Chemotherapy: This involves the use of drugs to kill rapidly proliferating cancer cells. The drugs could be administered orally or parenterally i.e. through intravenous means. In some cases, the drugs are delivered via intraperitoneal chemotherapy, directly to the abdomen to target the region affected by cancer cells. The effects of chemotherapy could be widespread as it tends to affect the body generally. Chemotherapy can be used before surgery and it is often administered after surgery to eradicate any residual cancerous cells.
• Surgery: this is the mainstay of ovarian cancer treatment. It is directed at excision of cancer tumors from affected sites in the body. However, the extent of the surgical procedure is dependent on the stage of cancer progression. For cancer in the very early stages which is yet to spread beyond an ovary, the ovary in question and fallopian tube is removed preserving the patient’s ability to conceive and give birth to children.

In cases where both ovaries are affected with no surrounding tissue anomaly, both ovaries alongside the fallopian tubes are removed leaving the uterus (womb). Patients in this category who are still of child bearing age and still have interest in having children have their eggs frozen and preserved for future fertilization. Patients who are well beyond child bearing age and have no plans to bear any more children often have their uterus, accompanying lymph nodes and surrounding tissues removed.

Please note that even with surgery, chemotherapy is often administered before and/or after surgery.

• Targeted therapy: this form of therapy is poised at reducing side effects by aiming for specific functions that promote cancer growth. They come as a resort after previous cancer treatment options explored seem to have failed. Medical physicians collect sample cancer cells from patients and conduct research to know their vulnerability and choice of drugs the cancer cells are susceptible to. Extensive clinical researches are still ongoing on targeted therapy.
• Radiotherapy: this employs the use of radiations specifically X-rays to kill cancer cells. It has been found to be helpful in advanced ovarian cancer cases.
• Immunotherapy: The immune system of the body is known to help fight and mount defense against all disease inducing processes in the human body system. Boosting the immune system helps the body fight against cancer. Vaccination helps introduce substances into the body system that help identify and fight cancer producing cells.
• Support: This involves all measures employed by the medical team, family and loved ones of the patient to help reduce pain, improve the patient’s illness experience and quality of life while the patient is undergoing other forms of treatments. The place of support cannot be overemphasized as it gives the patient psychological strength to overcome the disease.

Prevention

Ovarian cancer has no known fail proof way of prevention. However, a number of measures have been found to help reduce risk of developing the disease. They include:

• Breastfeeding
• Pregnancy
• Use of birth control medications.

A lot of patients have been known to survive ovarian cancer, however survival depends on the type and the stage of the cancer at presentation. The type of cancer is what no one has power over, but the stage at presentation, yes you do have power over that, the earlier you seek help, the better your chances at defeating the disease. Please, save a life today by encouraging people around you on the need to seek help when anything unusual is noticed about their body.

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