Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States, and although rates have slightly declined, deaths are mainly due to a late diagnosis.

Dr. LaReesa Ferdinand is an OB/GYN in Central Florida Health Care’s Davenport Health Center. She says there are 5 key points for patients to remember.

1. Know Your Risk Factors

• Age (most cases occur after menopause, but can occur earlier)
• Family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer—especially BRCA1/BRCA2 or Lynch syndrome
• Personal history of endometriosis or infertility
• Lifestyle factors (obesity, never having been pregnant, certain hormone therapies)

2. Recognize Symptoms Early

• Symptoms can be vague: bloating, pelvic/abdominal pain, early satiety, urinary urgency/frequency
• Pay attention to persistence and frequency (more than 12 times per month)
• Track symptom patterns—early reporting improves chances of early detection

3. Screening & Surveillance

• Currently, no routine screening test is recommended for the general population
• High-risk women (e.g., BRCA mutation carriers) may benefit from transvaginal ultrasound & CA-125 blood test, but these are not perfect
• Genetic counseling/testing is strongly advised for women with family history
• Annual well-woman visits are still essential for overall reproductive health monitoring

4. Prevention & Risk Reduction

• Discuss risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy if BRCA-positive or very high risk
• Use of oral contraceptives for ≥5 years can reduce ovarian cancer risk by ~50%
• Maintain a healthy weight and diet, avoid smoking, and manage chronic inflammation

5. Trends & Statistics

• 19,700 new cases and 12,700 deaths expected in the U.S. in 2025
• Incidence rates have slightly declined over the past two decades, largely due to oral contraceptive use and preventive surgeries in high-risk women

Dr. Ferdinand says an ovarian cancer screening looks for signs of cancer before symptoms appear.. Screening is mainly for high-risk women after a thorough discussion with their healthcare provider. High risk includes patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, Lynch syndrome (HNPCC), Strong family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer. If you have a high risk: consider annual CA-125 + pelvic ultrasound, often starting earlier than age 50, under specialist guidance. These tests do not always give clear results and can lead to unnecessary worry or procedures.

It’s important to know your personal and family history—genetic counseling can be lifesaving. Understand that routine screening is not for everyone, it’s targeted for high-risk individuals. Stay alert to persistent symptoms (bloating, pelvic pain, early satiety, urinary urgency). Maintain annual wellness visits for preventive care discussions and advocate for yourself—if something feels off, speak up early. Central Florida Health Care is just a call away if you have questions or want to schedule an appointment. (866)234-8534.