As we gear up for next week’s luncheon, A Conversation About Women’s Health Hosted by Carol Van Andel, here are 10 facts about ovarian cancer to think about:
- Ovarian cancer kills more women every year than any other cancer of the reproductive system
- A woman’s lifetime risk is about 1 in 75
- Women in their 50s are at highest risk
- Emerging targeted treatments, such as bevacizumab and olaparib, are designed to treat specific sub-types of ovarian cancer
- Unlike most other cancers, women in both developing and developed countries are at similar risk
- No reliable screening tests are currently available
- 90 percent of women diagnosed at the earliest stages live well beyond five years
- However, only 15 percent of ovarian cancers are detected during this stage
- Family history and risk factors, such as smoking, are imperative in prevention and early diagnosis
Women often have no symptoms in the early stages, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Even later stages are associated with vague symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss.
For these reasons, and many more, it’s imperative that women understand their risks and educate themselves.
Cancer scientists Hui Shen, Ph.D., and Ronald Chandler, Ph.D., will take two hours next week to discuss advancements in ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer research, and provide information on how individuals can become their own health care advocates.
The event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Van Andel Institute. The event is hosted by Carol Van Andel and will be moderated by WOTV 4’s Maranda.
Tickets are $50 and may be purchased online. 100 percent of proceeds from the event support research at the Institute. Contact Sarah Rollman at 616.234.5712 or [email protected] for more information.