The process of diagnosing ovarian cancer often begins when a doctor discovers an enlarged ovary during a pelvic examination on a woman or when there are indicators of swelling and fluid collection in her belly. It is one of the most challenging cancers to detect early, as its symptoms are often mild and easily mistaken for common digestive or menstrual issues. This makes awareness and timely diagnosis crucial for improving survival rates. Understanding the early warning signs, risk factors, and available diagnostic tests can help women take proactive steps toward their health. In this blog, we will explore how ovarian cancer is detected and the risk factors you need to be aware of.
How Can A Doctor Help In The Detection Of Ovarian Cancer
An ovarian cancer specialist may use a variety of tests to diagnose ovarian cancer.
Pelvic Examinations
A pelvic exam usually involves a physical examination of the vulva, vagina, cervix, ovaries, uterus, and rectum by an ovarian cancer specialist. During the examination, the doctor will search for any apparent or felt abnormalities.
Imaging Tests
An ovarian cancer specialist might arrange a variety of imaging tests to get a clear picture of the inside of a woman’s abdomen and pelvis. For example, these examinations can reveal the size, shape, and structure of the ovaries and detect pelvic masses. Some imaging techniques that can be used to diagnose ovarian cancer include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
- Ultrasounds
To find out if ovarian cancer has spread, further imaging procedures such as colonoscopies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), and chest X-rays may be performed by an ovarian cancer specialist.
Blood Testing.
Ovarian cancer patients’ blood may include elevated levels of specific tumor markers. CA-125 is a protein often discovered on the surface of ovarian cancer cells. Ovarian germ cell tumors can result in increased levels of chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and/or lactate dehydrogenase. Stromal tumors can raise levels of estrogen, testosterone, and a substance known as inhibin.
Biopsies
When the above-mentioned tests indicate ovarian cancer, a biopsy is usually performed by an ovarian cancer specialist to obtain an accurate diagnosis. A biopsy allows a doctor to collect samples of tissue and abdomen fluid that a pathologist may examine under a microscope to visually confirm the presence of cancerous cells.
Risk Factors
Some factors raise a person’s chances of getting ovarian cancer, including:
- Never having been pregnant.
- Beginning menstruation before age 12 or experiencing menopause after the age of 52.
- A family history of ovarian, breast, or uterine cancer, especially with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
- A family history of Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
Conclusion
Ovarian cancers in their early stages often show up with no symptoms. Other, less dangerous conditions can produce symptoms similar to ovarian cancer. By the time ovarian cancer is identified as the source of these symptoms, it has generally spread. In addition, certain kinds of ovarian cancer can spread quickly to neighboring organs. Quick attention to symptoms may increase the likelihood of early diagnosis and successful treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms similar to ovarian cancer on a daily basis for more than a few weeks, see your ovarian cancer specialist quickly.