Breadcrumb
- Home
- Illnesses & Conditions
- Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
Content Map Terms
Illnesses & Conditions Categories
-
Allergies
- Allergy to Natural Rubber (Latex)
- Jellyfish Stings: Allergic Reaction
- Allergies: Should I Take Allergy Shots?
- Non-Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergic Reaction
- Allergies
- Allergy Shots for Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergies: Rush Immunotherapy
- Over-the-Counter Medicines for Allergies
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Types of Allergens
- Allergies: Avoiding Indoor Triggers
- Allergies: Avoiding Outdoor Triggers
- Controlling Dust, Dust Mites, and Other Allergens in Your Home
- Controlling Pet Allergens
- Allergies to Insect Stings
- Allergies: Should I Take Shots for Insect Sting Allergies?
- Immunotherapy for Allergies to Insect Stings
- Types of Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergic Reaction to Tattoo Dye
- Drug Allergies
- Penicillin Allergy
- Hay Fever and Other Seasonal Allergies
- Allergies: Giving Yourself an Epinephrine Shot
-
Arthritis and Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Finger and Hand Surgeries
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Classification Criteria
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systemic Symptoms
- Comparing Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Neck Symptoms
- Osteoporosis in Men
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Arthritis: Shots for Knee Pain
- Complementary Medicine for Arthritis
- Steve's Story: Coping With Arthritis
- Bev's Story: Coping With Arthritis
- Quick Tips: Modifying Your Home and Work Area When You Have Arthritis
- Coping With Osteoarthritis
- Arthritis: Should I Have Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Capsaicin for Osteoarthritis
- Small Joint Surgery for Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis: Heat and Cold Therapy
- Modifying Activities for Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Inflammatory Eye Disease
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Range-of-Motion Exercises
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Deciding About Total Joint Replacement
- Complications of Osteoarthritis
- Arthritis: Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Arthritis: Should I Have Knee Replacement Surgery?
- Arthritis: Should I Have Hip Replacement Surgery?
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Pain Management
- Osteoporosis Risk in Younger Women
- Osteoporosis Screening
-
Asthma
- Asthma: Peak Expiratory Flow and Personal Best
- Asthma and Wheezing
- Asthma: Using an Asthma Action Plan
- Asthma: Measuring Peak Flow
- Asthma: Identifying Your Triggers
- Steroid Medicine for Asthma: Myths and Facts
- Asthma
- Inhaled corticosteroids for asthma
- Inhaled quick-relief medicines for asthma
- Classification of Asthma
- Challenge Tests for Asthma
- Asthma's Impact on Your Child's Life
- Asthma Action Plan: Yellow Zone
- Asthma Triggers
- Asthma Action Plan: Red Zone
- Asthma and GERD
- Occupational Asthma
- Asthma Attack
- Asthma: Symptoms of Difficulty Breathing
- Exercise-Induced Asthma
- Asthma Treatment Goals
- Asthma: Overcoming Obstacles to Taking Medicines
- Asthma in Older Adults: Managing Treatment
- Asthma: Controlling Cockroaches
- Asthma: Educating Yourself and Your Child
- Allergy Shots for Asthma
- Asthma: Taking Charge of Your Asthma
- Monitoring Asthma Treatment
- Omalizumab for Asthma
- Asthma: Ways to Take Inhaled Medicines
- Asthma: Overuse of Quick-Relief Medicines
- Asthma Diary
- Asthma Diary Template
- Asthma Action Plan
- Assessing Your Asthma Knowledge
- My Asthma Action Plan
-
Bowel and Gastrointestinal Conditions
- Abdominal Fullness or Bloating
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Criteria for Diagnosis
- Gastritis
- Gas, Bloating, and Burping
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Constipation: Keeping Your Bowels Healthy
- Rectal Problems
- Mild, Moderate, or Severe Diarrhea
- Torn or Detached Nail
- Chronic Constipation
- Gas (Flatus)
- Dyspepsia
- Diverticulosis
- Bowel Obstruction
- Anal Fissure
- Bowel Disease: Caring for Your Ostomy
- Anal Fistulas and Crohn's Disease
-
Cancer
- Lung Cancer and Other Lung Problems From Smoking
- Skin Cancer, Non-Melanoma
- Radiation Therapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer Test Recommendations
- Breast Cancer Screening: When Should I Start Having Mammograms?
- Lifestyle Changes That May Help Prevent Cancer
- Choosing a Prosthesis After Breast Cancer Surgery
- Hormone Treatment for Breast Cancer
- Cancer Staging and Grading
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer
- Cancer Support: Managing Stress
- Cancer Support: When Your Cancer Comes Back or Gets Worse
- Cancer Support: Dealing With Emotions and Fears
- Cancer Support: Finding Out That You Have Cancer
- Cancer Support: Being an Active Patient
- Cancer Support: Coping With Cancer Treatments
- Cancer Support: Life After Treatment
- Cancer Support: Family, Friends, and Relationships
- Reducing Cancer Risk When You Are BRCA-Positive
- Anal Cancer
- Prostate Cancer: Should I Choose Active Surveillance?
- Lung Cancer Screening
- Basal Cell Skin Cancer: Should I Have Surgery or Use Medicated Cream?
- Tumour Markers
- Does Aspirin Prevent Cancer?
- Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Oral Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Metastatic Melanoma
- Radiation Treatment for Cancer
- Skin Cancer, Melanoma
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Hepatitis B and C: Risk of Liver Cancer
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cancer Risk
- Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Cancer: Home Treatment for Mouth Sores
- Skin Cancer Screening
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?
- Prostate Cancer: Should I Have Radiation or Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer?
- Prostate Cancer Screening
- Side Effects of Chemotherapy
- Breast Cancer: Lymph Node Surgery for Staging Cancer
- Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
- Cryosurgery for Prostate Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer: Home Treatment for Nausea or Vomiting
- Cancer: Home Treatment for Pain
- Cancer: Home Treatment for Diarrhea
- Cancer: Home Treatment for Constipation
- Breast Cancer Types
- Cancer: Home Treatment for Sleep Problems
- Cancer: Home Treatment for Fatigue
- Hair Loss From Cancer Treatment
- Body Image After Cancer Treatment
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy for Early-Stage Cancer?
- Breast Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent
- Cancer Pain
- Leukemia
- Colorectal Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent
- Thyroid Cancer
- Types of Thyroid Cancer
- Radiation Therapy for Cancer Pain
- Breast Cancer in Men (Male Breast Cancer)
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer?
- Asbestos and Lung Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Colon Cancer Genetic Testing
- Testicular Cancer Screening
- Skin Cancer: Protecting Your Skin
- Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Comparing Treatments
- Bladder Cancer
- Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic
- Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer
- Urinary Problems and Prostate Cancer
- Cancer: Controlling Cancer Pain
- Heat and Cold Treatment for Cancer Pain
- Testicular Cancer
- Testicular Cancer: Which Treatment Should I Have for Stage I Non-Seminoma Testicular Cancer After My Surgery?
- Testicular Cancer: Which Treatment Should I Have for Stage I Seminoma Testicular Cancer After My Surgery?
- Cancer: Controlling Nausea and Vomiting From Chemotherapy
- Lymphedema: Managing Lymphedema
- Breast Cancer Risk: Should I Have a BRCA Gene Test?
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer: Should I Have My Ovaries Removed to Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
- Family History and the Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer
- Breast Cancer: What Should I Do if I'm at High Risk?
-
Cold and Flu
- Difference Between Influenza (Flu) and a Cold
- Colds and Flu
- Influenza (Flu) Complications
- Flu Vaccine Myths
- Influenza (Seasonal Flu)
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
- Productive Coughs
- Dry Coughs
- Influenza (Flu): Should I Take Antiviral Medicine?
- Flu Vaccines: Should I Get a Flu Vaccine?
- Relieving A Cough
- Colds
-
COPD
- Cal's Story: Learning to Exercise When You have COPD
- Conserving Energy When You Have COPD or Other Chronic Conditions
- Nebulizer for COPD Treatment
- COPD Action Plan
- COPD: Help for Caregivers
- COPD: Keeping Your Diet Healthy
- COPD: Using Exercise to Feel Better
- COPD
- COPD Flare-Ups
- Bullectomy for COPD
- COPD and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency
- COPD and Sex
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- COPD
- Oxygen Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- COPD: Avoiding Weight Loss
- COPD: Avoiding Your Triggers
-
Dementia
- Alzheimer's or Other Dementia: Should I Move My Relative Into Long-Term Care?
- Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Coping With Sundowning
- Dementia: Assessing Pain
- Medical History and Physical Examination for Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Making the Most of Remaining Abilities
- Dementia: Helping a Person Avoid Confusion
- Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Maintaining Good Nutrition
- Dementia: Tips for Communicating
- Agitation and Dementia
- Dementia: Bladder and Bowel Problems
- Dementia: Support for Caregivers
- Dementia: Legal Issues
- Dementia: Understanding Behaviour Changes
- Dementia: Medicines to Treat Behaviour Changes
- Dementia
- Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
-
Diabetes
- Diabetes: Blood Sugar Levels
- Diabetes: Counting Carbs if You Don't Use Insulin
- Diabetes: Coping With Your Feelings About Your Diet
- Diabetes: Tracking My Feelings
- Diabetes: Taking Care of Your Feet
- Diabetes: Care of Blood Sugar Test Supplies
- Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
- Diabetes: Checking Your Feet
- Diabetes: Steps for Foot-Washing
- Diabetes: Protecting Your Feet
- Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar From Medicines
- Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar From Insulin
- Diabetes: How to Give Glucagon
- Low Blood Sugar Level Record
- Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar
- Diabetes: Preventing High Blood Sugar Emergencies
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
- High Blood Sugar Level Record
- Symptoms of High Blood Sugar
- Diabetes: Using a Plate Format to Plan Meals
- Diabetes: Giving Yourself an Insulin Shot
- Diabetes: Eating Low-Glycemic Foods
- Diabetes and Alcohol
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring
- Quick Tips: Diabetes and Shift Work
- Diabetes: How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy
- Type 2 Diabetes: Can You Cure It?
- Diabetes, Type 2: Should I Take Insulin?
- Prediabetes: Which Treatment Should I Use to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
- Diabetes: Making Medical Decisions as Your Health Changes
- Diabetes Care Plan
- Diabetes: Caregiving for an Older Adult
- Quick Tips: Smart Snacking When You Have Diabetes
- Testing Tips From a Diabetes Educator
- Gloria's Story: Adding Activity to Help Control Blood Sugar
- Andy's Story: Finding Your Own Routine When You Have Diabetes
- Jerry's Story: Take Prediabetes Seriously
- Linda's Story: Getting Active When You Have Prediabetes
- Diabetes
- Tips for Exercising Safely When You Have Diabetes
- Diabetes: Travel Tips
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Care of Your Skin When You Have Diabetes
- Care of Your Teeth and Gums When You Have Diabetes
- Non-insulin medicines for type 2 diabetes
- Metformin for diabetes
- Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) in People Without Diabetes
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Diabetic Focal Neuropathy
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Exercising Safely
- Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy
- Criteria for Diagnosing Diabetes
- Diabetes-Related High and Low Blood Sugar Levels
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Diabetes: Counting Carbs if You Use Insulin
- Diabetes: Cholesterol Levels
- Diabetes and Infections
- Diabetes: Tests to Watch for Complications
- Diabetes: Differences Between Type 1 and 2
- Diabetes Complications
- How Diabetes Causes Blindness
- How Diabetes Causes Foot Problems
- Reading Food Labels When You Have Diabetes
- Eating Out When You Have Diabetes
- Breastfeeding When You Have Diabetes
- Diabetes: Staying Motivated
- Sick-Day Guidelines for People With Diabetes
- Diabetes: Amputation for Foot Problems
- Prediabetes
- Prediabetes: Exercise Tips
- Type 2 Diabetes: Screening for Adults
- Diabetes: Should I Get an Insulin Pump?
- Diabetes: Living With an Insulin Pump
- Form for Carbohydrate Counting
-
Disease and Disease Prevention
- Diseases and Conditions
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
- Needle Aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's Disease
- Mitochondrial Diseases
- Disease and Injury Prevention
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Root Planing and Scaling for Gum Disease
- Kawasaki Disease
- Tay-Sachs Disease
- Von Willebrand's Disease
- Hirschsprung's Disease
- Complications of Paget's Disease
- Paget's Disease of Bone
- Celiac Disease
- Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Ménière's Disease
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Tubo-Ovarian Abscess
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Addison's Disease
- Misdiagnosis of Lyme Disease
- Lyme Disease
- Parkinson's Disease and Freezing
- Parkinson's Disease: Other Symptoms
- Parkinson's Disease: Modifying Your Activities and Your Home
- Parkinson's Disease and Tremors
- Parkinson's Disease and Speech Problems
- Parkinson's Disease
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Parkinson's Disease: Movement Problems From Levodopa
- Mad Cow Disease
- Handwashing
- Peyronie's Disease
- Stages of Lyme Disease
- Osteotomy and Paget's Disease
- Dupuytren's Disease
- Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's Disease: Problems Outside the Digestive Tract
- Pilonidal Disease
- Acquired Von Willebrand's Disease
-
Down Syndrome, Autism and Developmental Delays
- Autism
- Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Eat Independently
- Down Syndrome: Grooming and Hygiene
- Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Learn to Walk and Use Other Motor Skills
- Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Learn to Communicate
- Down Syndrome
- Dyslexia
- Conditions Related to Dyslexia
- Autism: Behavioural Training and Management
- Autism: Support and Training for the Family
- Unproven Treatments for Autism
- Caring for Adults With Autism
- Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Avoid Social Problems
- Down Syndrome: Training and Therapy for Young People
- Down Syndrome: Helping Your Child Dress Independently
- Down Syndrome, Ages Birth to 1 Month
- Down Syndrome, Ages 1 Month to 1 Year
- Down Syndrome, Ages 1 to 5
- Down Syndrome, Ages 5 to 13
- Down Syndrome, Ages 13 to 21
- Eating Disorders
-
Epilepsy
- Absence Epilepsy
- Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
- Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
- Focal Epilepsy
- Epilepsy: Simple Partial Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Epilepsy and Driving
- Epilepsy: Generalized Seizures
- Epilepsy: Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
- Epilepsy: Myoclonic Seizures
- Epilepsy: Atonic Seizures
- Epilepsy: Tonic Seizures
- Epilepsy: Complex Partial Seizures
- Epilepsy Medicine Therapy Failure
- Stopping Medicine for Epilepsy
- Questions About Medicines for Epilepsy
- Epilepsy: Taking Your Medicines Properly
-
Fatigue and Sleep
- Sleep Apnea: Should I Have a Sleep Study?
- Sleep and Your Health
- Quick Tips: Making the Best of Shift Work
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Managing Your Energy
- Sleeping Better
- Sleep Problems
- Doxepin (Sleep) - Oral
- Improving Sleep When You Have Chronic Pain
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic Fatigue: Changing Your Schedule
- Chronic Fatigue: Getting Support
- Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Coping With Changing Sleep Patterns as You Get Older
- Stages of Sleep
- Sleep Apnea: Fibre-Optic Pharyngoscopy
- Sleep Apnea: Oral Devices
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Problems, Age 12 and Older
- Stages of Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Journal
- Shift Work Sleep Disorder
- Snoring
- Sleep Problems: Dealing With Jet Lag
- Insomnia
- Sleep and Your Body Clock
- Weakness and Fatigue
- Insomnia: Improving Your Sleep
-
Heart Health and Stroke
- Peripheral Arterial Disease of the Legs
- Bradycardia (Slow Heart Rate)
- Types of Bradycardia
- Cardiac Device Monitoring
- Angioplasty for Peripheral Arterial Disease of the Legs
- Isolated Systolic High Blood Pressure
- Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion?
- Change in Heartbeat
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Fast Heart Rate
- Heart Failure: Symptom Record
- Heart Failure: Compensation by the Heart and Body
- Heart Failure: Taking Medicines Properly
- Heart Failure: Watching Your Fluids
- Heart Failure: Avoiding Triggers for Sudden Heart Failure
- Heart Failure: Activity and Exercise
- Heart Tests: When Do You Need Them?
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
- Cardiac Arrest
- Heart Failure Daily Action Plan
- Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
- Heart Rate Problems: Should I Get a Pacemaker?
- Heart Rhythm Problems: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)?
- What to Do if Your Cardiac Device Is Recalled
- Venous Insufficiency
- Carotid Artery Stenting
- ICD: Living Well With It
- Diabetes: Lower Your Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke
- Pacemaker for Heart Failure (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy)
- Heart Attack: How to Prevent Another One
- Stroke: How to Prevent Another One
- Sex and Your Heart
- Supraventricular Tachycardia: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?
- Carotid Artery Disease
- Giant Cell Arteritis
- High Blood Pressure: Over-the-Counter Medicines to Avoid
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Leg Aneurysm
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH)
- Heart Failure: Checking Your Weight
- Alan's Story: Coping With Change After a Heart Attack
- Coronary Artery Disease: Prevention Myths
- Quick Tips: Taking Charge of Your Angina
- Heart and Circulation
- High Blood Pressure
- Heartburn
- Angioplasty for Coronary Artery Disease
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Aortic Valve Stenosis
- Secondary High Blood Pressure
- Hemorrhagic Stroke
- Stroke: Common Disabilities
- Self-Care After a Stroke
- Stroke: Dealing With Depression
- Stroke: Getting Dressed
- Stroke: Speech and Language Problems
- Stroke: Bladder and Bowel Problems
- Stroke: Preventing Injury in Affected Limbs
- After a Stroke: Helping Your Family Adjust
- Stroke: Behaviour Changes
- Stroke: Changes in Emotions
- Stroke: Perception Changes
- Stroke: Problems With Ignoring the Affected Side
- Stroke: Memory Tips
- Stroke: Your Rehabilitation Team
- Stroke
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Lifestyle Changes
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Hospital Program
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Home Program
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Outpatient Program
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Maintenance Program
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Congenital Heart Defects: Caring for Your Child
- Coronary Artery Disease: Should I Have an Angiogram?
- Triggers of Sudden Heart Failure
- Classification of Heart Failure
- Heart Failure: Tips for Easier Breathing
- Heart Failure: Avoiding Colds and Flu
- Heart Failure
- Helping Someone During a Panic Attack
- Aortic Aneurysm
- High Blood Pressure
- Coronary Artery Disease: Family History
- Angina
- Using Nitroglycerin for Angina
- Heartburn: Changing Your Eating Habits
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Beta-blockers
- Heart Rhythm Problems: Diary of Symptoms
- Vagal Manoeuvres for Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
- Electrical Cardioversion (Defibrillation) for a Fast Heart Rate
- Catheter Ablation for a Fast Heart Rate
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Home Blood Pressure Log
- Blood Pressure Screening
- Heart Block
- Electrical System of the Heart
- Heart Rhythm Problems and Driving
- Heart Rhythm Problems: Symptoms
- Resuming Sexual Activity After a Heart Attack
- Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease
- Pacemaker for Bradycardia
- SPECT Image of the Heart
- Heart Attack and Stroke in Women: Reducing Your Risk
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Aspirin to Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke
- Temporal Artery Biopsy
- Emergency First Aid for Heatstroke
- Heartburn Symptom Record
- Heart Attack and Unstable Angina
- Congenital Heart Defects in Adults
- Monitoring and Medicines for Heart Failure
- Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) for Heart Failure
- Cardiac Output
- Heart Failure Symptoms
- Heart Failure: Less Common Symptoms
- Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (Systolic Heart Failure)
- Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (Diastolic Heart Failure)
- High-Output Heart Failure
- Right-Sided Heart Failure
- Heart Failure Complications
- How the Heart Works
- Coronary Arteries and Heart Function
- Heart Failure Types
- Enjoying Life When You Have Heart Failure
- Heart Failure: Tips for Caregivers
- Medicines to Prevent Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Heart Failure
- Cardiac Cachexia
- Heart Failure Stages
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Team
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Emotional Health Benefits
- Ischemia
- Coronary Artery Disease: Roles of Different Doctors
- Coronary Artery Disease: Helping a Loved One
- Manage Stress for Your Heart
- Intermittent Claudication
- Peripheral Arterial Disease: Pulse and Blood Pressure Measurement
- Heart Failure and Sexual Activity
- Joan's Story: Coping With Depression and Anxiety From Heart Failure
- Rheumatic Fever and the Heart
- Heart Valve Problems: Should I Choose a Mechanical Valve or Tissue Valve to Replace My Heart Valve?
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Aspirin: Should I Take Daily Aspirin to Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke?
- Heart Failure: Should I Get a Pacemaker ?
- Heart Failure: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)?
- Heart Valve Disease
- Myxoma Tumours of the Heart
- Aortic Dissection
- Heart Attack and Stroke Risk Screening
- High Blood Pressure: Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home
- Hypertensive Emergency
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Treatment for Stroke-Related Spasticity
- Driving a Car After a Stroke
- Heart Failure: Avoiding Medicines That Make Symptoms Worse
- Stroke Recovery: Coping With Eating Problems
- Heart Murmur
- High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine?
- Coronary Artery Disease: Should I Have Angioplasty for Stable Angina?
- Tyrell's Story: Taking Pills for High Blood Pressure
- Stroke Prevention: Should I Have a Carotid Artery Procedure?
- Atrial Fibrillation: Which Anticoagulant Should I Take to Prevent Stroke?
- Stroke: Should I Move My Loved One Into Long-Term Care?
- Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Take an Anticoagulant to Prevent Stroke?
- Smoking and Coronary Artery Disease
-
Hepatitis
- Hepatitis C: Your Risk for Cirrhosis
- Hepatitis E
- Hepatitis B Immune Globulin - Injection
- Heparin - Injection
- Fulminant Hepatitis
- Protect Yourself From Hepatitis A When Travelling
- Hepatitis A
- Viral Hepatitis
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis B: How to Avoid Spreading the Virus
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis Panel
- Hepatitis B Treatment Recommendations
- Hepatitis B: Should I Be Tested?
-
HIV
- HIV Infection
- HIV Viral Load
- HIV: Stages of Infection
- Ways HIV Cannot Be Spread
- HIV and Exercise
- HIV: Giving Support
- HIV: Tips for Caregivers to Avoid Infection
- HIV: Preventing Other Infections When You Have HIV
- HIV Home Care
- Antiretroviral medicines for HIV
- Resistance to HIV Medicines
- HIV: Preventing Infections
- HIV: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
- Opportunistic Infections in HIV
- HIV: Taking Antiretroviral Drugs
- HIV: Non-Progressors and HIV-Resistant People
- HIV Screening
- HIV and Weight Loss
- HIV and Fatigue
-
Infectious Diseases
- Anthrax
- Avian Influenza
- Avoiding Infections in the Hospital
- Bacterial Infections of the Spine
- Bites and Stings: Flu-Like Symptoms
- Boric Acid for Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Caregiving: Reducing Germs and Infection in the Home
- Central Venous Catheter: Flushing
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Chickenpox: Preventing Skin Infections
- Chikungunya Fever
- Complicated Urinary Tract Infections
- Complications of Ear Infections
- Cranberry Juice and Urinary Tract Infections
- Dengue Fever
- Ear Infection: Should I Give My Child Antibiotics?
- Ear Infections
- Ebola or Marburg Virus Infection
- Ebola Virus Disease
- Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)
- Fever or Chills, Age 11 and Younger
- Fever or Chills, Age 12 and Older
- Fever Seizures
- Fever Temperatures: Accuracy and Comparison
- Feverfew for Migraines
- Fifth Disease
- Flu: Signs of Bacterial Infection
- Fungal Nail Infections
- Giardiasis
- Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease
- Kissing Bugs
- Measles (Rubeola)
- Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
- Molluscum Contagiosum
- Monkeypox
- Mononucleosis (Mono)
- Mononucleosis Complications
- Mumps
- Nail Infection: Should I Take Antifungal Pills?
- Neutropenia: Preventing Infections
- Non-Surgical Nail Removal for Fungal Nail Infections
- Noroviruses
- Pleurisy
- Pneumonia
- Preventing Tetanus Infections
- Pseudomonas Infection
- Recurrent Ear Infections and Persistent Effusion
- Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection
- Rotavirus
- Rubella (German Measles)
- Scarlet Fever
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Genital Examination for Men
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Symptoms in Women
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Treatment
- Shingles
- Smallpox
- Sore Throat and Other Throat Problems
- Staph Infection
- Strep Throat
- Symptoms of Pelvic Infection
- Thrush
- Tick Bites: Flu-Like Symptoms
- Tinea Versicolor
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Tuberculosis Screening
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in Older Adults
- Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself?
- Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Valley Fever
- West Nile Virus
- Zika Virus
- Informed Health Decisions
-
Injuries
- Trapped Finger, Toe, or Limb
- Blister Care
- Exercises for Heel Pain or Tightness
- Broken Toe
- Broken Nose (Nasal Fracture)
- Preventing Blisters
- Hip Fracture
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury
- Pressure Injuries From Scuba Diving
- Pressure Injuries: Stages
- Pressure Injuries: Prevention and Treatment
- Calf Muscle Injury
- Avulsion Fracture
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injury
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
- Frozen or Stuck Tongue or Other Body Part
- Fifth Metatarsal Jones Fracture
- Animal and Human Bites
- Blisters
- Burns and Electric Shock
- Choking Rescue Procedure: Heimlich Manoeuvre
- Cold Temperature Exposure
- Cuts
- Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
- Elbow Injuries
- Elbow Problems, Non-Injury
- Facial Injuries
- Facial Problems, Non-Injury
- Fish Hook Injuries
- Toe, Foot, and Ankle Injuries
- Groin Problems and Injuries
- Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
- Safe Hand and Wrist Movements
- Physical Rehabilitation for ACL Injuries
- Marine Stings and Scrapes
- Mouth Problems, Non-Injury
- Nail Problems and Injuries
- Puncture Wounds
- Shoulder Problems and Injuries
- Removing Splinters
- Swallowed Button Disc Battery, Magnet, or Object With Lead
- Object Stuck in the Throat
- How a Scrape Heals
- Removing an Object From a Wound
- Types of Chest Injuries
- Injury to the Tailbone (Coccyx)
- First Aid for a Spinal Injury
- Body Mechanics
- Scrapes
- Swallowed or Inhaled Objects
- Swelling
- Overuse Injuries
- Meniscus Tear
- Razor Bumps
- Ankle Sprain
- Sprained Ankle: Using a Compression Wrap
- High-Pressure Injection Wounds
- Patellar Dislocation
- Hamstring Muscles
- Plica in the Knee
- Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
- Pressure Injuries
- Heat After an Injury
- Concussion
- Navicular (Scaphoid) Fracture of the Wrist
- Cold Exposure: What Increases Your Risk of Injury?
- Broken Collarbone (Clavicle)
- Shoulder Separation
- Frozen Shoulder
- Preventing ACL Injuries
- Living With a Spinal Cord Injury
- Classification of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Tendon Injury (Tendinopathy)
- Shin Splints
- Muscle Cramps
- Whiplash
- Fractured Rib
-
Joints and Spinal Conditions
- Osteochondritis Dissecans of a Joint
- Back to Work?
- Moving From Sitting to Standing
- Golfer's Elbow
- Bones, Joints, and Muscles
- Hip Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
- Hip Injuries, Age 12 and Older
- Hip Problems, Age 12 and Older
- Rotator Cuff Disorders
- Osteoporosis
- Spina Bifida
- Temporomandibular Disorders: Having Good Body Mechanics
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
- Tennis Elbow
- Debridement for Rotator Cuff Disorders
- Spinal Curves in Scoliosis
- Spondyloarthropathies
- Knee Problems and Injuries
- Posture: Standing and Walking
- Osteoporosis Risk Factors
- Bruxism and Temporomandibular Disorders
- Patellar Subluxation
- Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis
- Cervical Spinal Stenosis
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Spasticity
- Scoliosis In Adults
- Acute Flaccid Myelitis
- Spinal Cord Injury: Assisted Cough
- Spinal Cord Injury: Your Rehabilitation Team
- Spinal Cord Injury: Talking With Your Partner About Sex
- Mobility After a Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury: Adapting Your Home
- Spinal Cord Injury: Safe Transfers To or From a Wheelchair
- Spinal Cord Injury: Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Back Problems and Injuries
- Proper Sitting for a Healthy Back
- Brace (Orthotic) Treatment for Scoliosis
- Proper Back Posture (Neutral Spine)
- Severity of Back Injuries
- Back Problems: Proper Lifting
- Degenerative Disc Disease
-
Kidneys
- Acute Kidney Injury Versus Chronic Kidney Disease
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- Uremia
- Kidney Stones: Should I Have Lithotripsy to Break Up the Stone?
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Kidney Failure: When Should I Start Dialysis?
- Kidney Failure: Should I Start Dialysis?
- Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease
- End-Stage Kidney Failure
- Tolvaptan (Inherited Kidney Disease) - Oral
- Types of Kidney Stones
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) for Kidney Stones
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy or Nephrolithotripsy for Kidney Stones
- Kidney Stones
- Advance Care Planning: Should I Stop Kidney Dialysis?
- Kidney Disease: Medicines to Avoid
- Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
- Medicines That Can Cause Acute Kidney Injury
- Donating a Kidney
- Kidney Stones: Medicines That Increase Your Risk
-
Lung and Respiratory Conditions
- Breathing Problems: Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- Bronchiectasis
- Chest Problems
- Sildenafil 20 Mg (Lungs) - Oral
- Tadalafil (Lungs) - Oral
- Tests for Lung Infections
- COPD: Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
- Acute Bronchitis
- Respiratory Problems, Age 11 and Younger
- Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older
- Breathing Smoke or Fumes
- Pulmonary (Lung) Nodules
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- COPD's Effect on the Lungs
- Black Lung Disease
- Oral Breathing Devices for Snoring
- Spinal Cord Injury: Breathing Practice
- Breathing Problems: Using a Dry Powder Inhaler
- COPD: Clearing Your Lungs
- Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)
- Interactive Tool: Should I Consider Surgery for My Low Back Problem?
- COPD: Learning to Breathe Easier
- Lung Function in COPD
- COPD: Handling a Flare-Up
- Sarah's Story: Dealing With the Emotions From COPD
- Fran's Story: Finding Support When You Have COPD
-
Multiple Sclerosis
- Multiple Sclerosis: Alternative Treatments
- Multiple Sclerosis: Modifying Your Home
- Multiple Sclerosis: Bladder Problems
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Types of Multiple Sclerosis
- Multiple Sclerosis Progression
- Multiple Sclerosis: MRI Results
- Multiple Sclerosis: Mental and Emotional Problems
- Multiple Sclerosis: Questions About What to Expect
- Rehabilitation Programs for Multiple Sclerosis
- Obesity
-
Rehabilitation and Exercise
- Breathing Exercises: Using a Manual Incentive Spirometer
- Sensual Exercises for Erection Problems
- Breastfeeding: Exercise and Weight Loss
- Jaw Problems: Exercise and Relaxation
- Exercises for Arm and Wrist
- Kegel Exercises
- Tennis Elbow: Stretches and Strengthening Exercises
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Exercise
- Neck Exercises
- Stress Management: Imagery Exercises
- Sprained Ankle: Rehabilitation Exercises
- Plantar Fasciitis: Exercises to Relieve Pain
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Medicine and Exercise
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Monitoring Your Body's Response to Exercise
- Rotator Cuff Problems: Exercises You Can Do at Home
- Stress Management: Breathing Exercises
- ACL Injury: Exercises to Do Before Treatment
- Spinal Cord Injury: Sensual Exercises
- Martha's Story: A Voice for Recovery
- Stan's Story: Getting There Hasn't Been Easy
- Debbie's Story: People Can and Do Recover
- Susan's Story: A Friend Really Helps
- Meniscus Tear: Rehabilitation Exercises
- Patellar Tracking Disorder: Exercises
- Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation
- Good-Health Attitude
-
Sexual, Reproductive Health
- Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)?
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Should I Have a Hysterectomy?
- PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms?
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity and Transgender Issues
- Heavy Menstrual Periods
- Pubic Lice
- Menopause and Your Risk for Other Health Concerns
- Menstrual Cups
- Gender Dysphoria
- Menstrual Cycle: Dealing With Cramps
- Men's Health
- Sexual and Reproductive Organs
- Sexual Health
- Women's Health
- Genital Warts
- Sexuality While Breastfeeding
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Chlamydia
- Sexuality and Physical Changes With Aging
- Relieving Menstrual Pain
- Uterine Fibroids
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Neurosyphilis
- Congenital Syphilis
- Emotions and Menopause
- Hot Flashes and Menopause
- Vaginal Dryness During and After Menopause
- Genital Herpes
- Parkinson's Disease and Sexual Problems
- Male Genital Problems and Injuries
- Menstrual Cramps
- Missed or Irregular Periods
- Genital Self-Examination
- Missed Periods and Endurance Training
- Rashes or Sores in the Groin
- Other Health Problems Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus
- Arrhythmias and Sexual Activity
- Stages of Syphilis
- Normal Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Rashes and Sores
- Vaginal Fistula
- Soy for Menopause Symptoms
- Menopause: Wild Yam and Progesterone Creams
- Normal Menstrual Cycle
- Vaginal Pessaries
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Use GnRH-A Therapy?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
- Menopause: Managing Hot Flashes
- Premature Ejaculation
- High-Risk Sexual Behaviour
- Object in the Vagina
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- Military Sexual Trauma
- Sexual Problems in Women
- Female Genital Problems and Injuries
- Smoking: Sexual and Reproductive Problems
-
Skin, Nails and Rashes
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- Removing Moles and Skin Tags
- Caregiving: Skin Care for Immobile Adults
- Yeast Skin Infection
- Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin
- Skin, Hair, and Nails
- Nail Psoriasis
- Phototherapy for Psoriasis
- Psoriasis
- Ringworm of the Skin
- Rash, Age 12 and Older
- Sunburn: Skin Types
- Heat Rash
- Colour Changes in Nails
- Changes in Your Nails
- Cut That Removes All Layers of Skin
- Skin Changes
- Venous Skin Ulcer
- Venous Skin Ulcers: Home Treatment
- Atopic Dermatitis: Taking Care of Your Skin
- Seborrheic Keratoses
- Care for a Skin Wound
- Psoriasis: Skin, Scalp, and Nail Care
- Protecting Your Skin From the Sun
- Skin Rashes: Home Treatment
- Skin Cyst: Home Treatment
- Calluses and Corns
- Calluses and Corns: Using Pumice Stones
- Calluses and Corns: Protective Padding
- Tazarotene (Psoriasis/Acne) - Topical
- Types of Acne
- Acne: Treatment With Benzoyl Peroxide
- Acne: Treatment With Alpha Hydroxy Acids
- Acne: Treatment With Salicylic Acid
- Acne: Treatment With Antibiotics
- Acne
- Acne: Tips for Keeping It Under Control
- Acne: Should I Take Isotretinoin for Severe Acne?
- Acne: Should I See My Doctor?
-
Thyroid
- Hyperthyroidism: Should I Use Antithyroid Medicine or Radioactive Iodine?
- Thyroid Storm
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Thyroid - Oral
- Subclinical Hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism: Graves' Ophthalmopathy
- Radioactive Iodine for Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Thyroid Nodules
- Thyroid Hormone Production and Function
- Vertigo
- Check Your Symptoms
- Search Health Topics
Topic Overview
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer happens when cells that are not normal grow in or near your ovaries. The ovaries are two small glands, located on either side of your uterus. They produce female sex hormones and store and release eggs (ova).
Treatments for ovarian cancer are more successful when the cancer is found early. But most of the time, cancer has already spread by the time it is found.
This topic is about epithelial ovarian cancer. This is cancer that grows in the tissue covering the ovaries. It is the most common type of ovarian cancer and usually occurs in women who are past menopause.
What causes ovarian cancer?
Experts don't know exactly what causes ovarian cancer. But they do know that DNA changes play a role in many cancers.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- Recent, frequent bloating.
- Pain in the belly or pelvis.
- Trouble eating, or feeling full quickly.
- Urinary problems, such as an urgent need to urinate or urinating more often than usual.
These symptoms may be common in women who don't have ovarian cancer. But if these symptoms are new for you, and they happen almost daily for 2 to 3 weeks, you should see a doctor.
How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
Sometimes the doctor may feel a lump in or on an ovary during a pelvic examination. Often a lump may be seen during an ultrasound. Most lumps aren't cancer.
If your doctor thinks you may have ovarian cancer, you may have a blood test called CA-125 (cancer antigen 125). Too much CA-125 in your blood can be a sign of ovarian cancer. But too much CA-125 in the blood can be caused by many things, such as the menstrual cycle, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
The only way to know for sure that a woman has ovarian cancer is with biopsies taken during surgery. Tissue samples will be sent to a lab to see if they contain cancer.
How is it treated?
Surgery is the main treatment. The doctor will remove any tumours that he or she can see. This usually means taking out one or both ovaries. It may also mean taking out the fallopian tubes and uterus. Chemotherapy is often part of treatment. It may be given before and after surgery. Targeted therapy or hormone therapy may also be used.
When you find out that you have cancer, you may feel many emotions and may need some help coping. Talking with other women who are going through the same thing may help. Your doctor or your local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society can help you find a support group.
What are your chances of getting ovarian cancer?
For most women, the chances of getting this cancer are small. It most often affects women who are past menopause. You may be more likely to get it if other women in your family have had it. Also, some women inherit gene changes that increase their chances of getting it.
Health Tools
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
Cause
Experts don't know exactly what causes ovarian cancer. Genetics, such as DNA changes, are a risk factor for some women.
About 10 out of 100 ovarian cancers are thought to be caused by gene mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.footnote 1 The risk for women who have these gene changes is much higher than for women without them.
Symptoms
In some cases, ovarian cancer may cause early symptoms. The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
- Frequent bloating.
- Pain in your belly or pelvis.
- Trouble eating, or feeling full quickly.
- Urinary problems, such as an urgent need to urinate or urinating more often than usual.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, and it occurs almost daily for more than 2 or 3 weeks, talk with your doctor.
These symptoms are common for some women. They may not mean that you have ovarian cancer. But the early symptoms of ovarian cancer follow a pattern:
- They start suddenly.
- They feel different than your normal digestive or menstrual problems.
- They happen almost every day and don't go away.
Other symptoms that affect some women with ovarian cancer include:
- Fatigue.
- Indigestion.
- Back pain.
- Pain with intercourse.
- Constipation.
- Menstrual cycle changes.
But these symptoms are also common in some women who don't have ovarian cancer.
What Happens
Ovarian cancer often spreads early. Because it grows in the tissues covering the ovaries, it can spread easily within the abdominal cavity to the bowels and bladder or the abdominal lining. From there it may travel to other organs in the body, such as the liver or lungs.
What Increases Your Risk
A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. The main risk factors for ovarian cancer include:
- Having a family history of ovarian cancer. Having a mother, sister, or daughter who has had ovarian cancer will raise your risk. And if you have two close relatives with cancer, you will have a higher risk.
- Inheriting gene changes. A small number of women with a family history of cancer have inherited gene changes, such as the BRCA gene changes. Having certain gene changes can put a woman at the highest risk for ovarian cancer.
But most women who get ovarian cancer do not have these risk factors.
Ovarian cancer most often affects post-menopausal women. You may also be more likely to get this cancer if:
- You never had a baby.
- You started your menstrual cycles before age 12 and went through menopause after age 50.
- You are unable to become pregnant.
Some things that lower a woman's risk for ovarian cancer include:
- Taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives).
- Having babies and breastfeeding.
- Having both tubes tied (tubal ligation) or having a hysterectomy.
If you have a strong family history of ovarian or breast cancer, you may want to talk with your doctor or a genetic counsellor about having genetic testing to look for gene changes.
When should you call your doctor?
Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms, such as:
- Bloating.
- Pain in your belly or pelvis.
- Trouble eating, or feeling full quickly.
- Urinary problems, such as feeling an urgent need to urinate or urinating more often than usual.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions about calling when you have problems, new symptoms, or symptoms that get worse.
Examinations and Tests
Some examinations and tests that are done to look for or diagnose ovarian cancer include:
- A biopsy, which is the only way to know for sure if a woman has ovarian cancer. This usually is done with a laparotomy, through a cut (incision) in the belly.
- A physical examination, including a pelvic examination and Pap test. An ovarian lump may be felt during a pelvic examination. A rectovaginal examination may also be done to feel the pelvic organs.
- A cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) level, to measure a protein found on the surface of many ovarian cancer cells.
- A pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound, to look for an ovarian lump.
- A pelvic or abdominal CT scan or MRI, to check for the spread of cancer.
Early detection
Experts do not recommend routine screening for ovarian cancer.footnote 2 They haven't found proof that having regular tests to find ovarian cancer early helps women live longer. But this recommendation isn't for women with known gene changes (such as BRCA) who have a higher risk for ovarian cancer.
For women who have an average risk for ovarian cancer, experts do not recommend using the CA-125 test as a screening test for ovarian cancer. This is because this test often has false-positive results that can lead to unneeded surgery. But some doctors may recommend the CA-125 test and a transvaginal ultrasound for women who have a very high risk of ovarian cancer, such as those with BRCA gene changes. For these women, the benefits of screening may outweigh the harms.
Treatment Overview
Types of treatment
The choice of treatment and the long-term outcome (prognosis) for women who have ovarian cancer depends on the type and stage of cancer. Your age, overall health, quality of life, and desire to have children must also be considered.
Here are the main treatment options.
- Surgery. This is used to find out if you have cancer and to treat it. This may include taking biopsies to check for the spread of cancer.
- Chemotherapy. This uses medicines to kill cancer cells. It is recommended after surgery for most stages of ovarian cancer. Women with more advanced ovarian cancer may have part of their chemotherapy before surgery and the rest of it after surgery. This can make the surgery safer for these women.
- Targeted therapy. This uses medicines that target just the cancer cells to destroy them or keep them from growing.
- Hormone therapy. This stops your body from making a certain hormone or keeps that hormone from helping the cancer cells to grow.
More information about treating ovarian cancer can be found online at the following websites:
- Canadian Cancer Society website: www.cancer.ca
- U.S. National Cancer Institute website: www.cancer.gov
Side effects of treatment
Most treatments for ovarian cancer cause side effects. They may differ, depending on the type of treatment and your age and overall health.
Here are the possible side effects of each treatment.
- Surgery. The side effects of surgery vary depending on the extent of your surgery. If the doctor removes your ovaries, you will no longer be able to bear children. And if you were still menstruating before your surgery, you will start menopause.
- Chemotherapy. The side effects of chemotherapy may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and hair loss. There is also an increased chance of getting a serious infection.
- Targeted therapy. The side effects of targeted therapy may include high blood pressure, headache, nosebleeds, runny nose, skin problems, and back pain.
- Hormone therapy. The side effects of hormone therapy may include hot flashes, nausea, skin changes, constipation or diarrhea, or absent, missed, or irregular periods.
Home treatment may help you manage the side effects.
Advanced-stage ovarian cancer
Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy before surgery to treat advanced-stage ovarian cancer. This depends on how far your cancer has spread and what other illnesses you may have. Surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer involves removing as much of the cancer as possible. The uterus, the tissue lining the abdominal wall (omentum), and any areas of visible cancer are removed. This may include surgery on the intestines, urinary system, or spleen, or scraping of the diaphragm to remove all the cancer. The long-term outcome is better if no cancer cells remain.
Clinical trials
Your doctor may talk to you about being in a clinical trial of a treatment such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
Coping with emotions
When you first find out that you have cancer, you may feel scared or angry. Or you may feel very calm. It's normal to have a wide range of feelings and for those feelings to change quickly. Some people find that it helps to talk about their feelings with family and friends.
If your emotional reaction to cancer gets in the way of your ability to make decisions about your health, it's important to talk with your doctor. Your cancer treatment centre may offer psychological or financial services. And a local chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society can help you find a support group.
Body image and sexual problems
Your feelings about your body may change after treatment for cancer. Managing body image issues may involve talking about your concerns with your partner and discussing your feelings with your doctor. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to groups that can offer support and information.
Sexual problems can be caused by the physical or emotional effects of cancer or its treatment. Some women may feel less sexual pleasure or lose their desire to be intimate. For more information, see the topic Sexual Problems in Women.
Follow-up care
After treatment for ovarian cancer, it's important to receive follow-up care, because ovarian cancer may come back (recur). Your doctor will set up a schedule of checkups and tests.
If the cancer recurs or spreads (metastasizes), it's usually treated with chemotherapy. Surgery may also be done. Or your doctor may recommend that you join a clinical trial for treatment with surgery or immunotherapy.
Hospice palliative care
Cancer treatment has two main goals: curing cancer and making your quality of life as good as possible. Hospice palliative care can improve your quality of life by helping you manage your symptoms. It also can help you with other concerns that you may have when you are living with a serious illness.
For some people who have advanced cancer, a time comes when treatment to cure cancer no longer seems like a good choice. This can be because the side effects, time, and costs of treatment are greater than the promise of cure or relief. But this doesn't mean that treatment ends. Hospice palliative care providers will work to help manage pain and other symptoms or side effects. They may help you decide what treatment you want or don't want. And they can help your loved ones understand how to support you.
It can be hard to decide when to stop treatment aimed at prolonging your life and shift the focus to end-of-life care. You and your doctor can decide when you may be ready for hospice palliative care.
For more information, see:
Prevention
You cannot control some things that put you at risk for ovarian cancer, such as your family history or inheriting gene changes. But you can make some personal choices that lower your risk of cancer and other diseases.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Be active. Talk with your doctor about what kinds of activity and how much activity would be good for you.
If you are at high risk for ovarian cancer
If you are concerned about your risk for ovarian cancer, talk with your doctor. You may be a good candidate for taking birth control pills. Taking birth control pills for 5 years has been shown to reduce ovarian cancer risk by 50%.footnote 3 The protection lasts for many years after the pills are taken. But birth control pills may have other health risks, so talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits before taking birth control pills.
If you are at a very high risk because of your family history, you may want to have gene testing. Women at very high risk because of inherited genes may want to have surgery to remove their ovaries and fallopian tubes. This is usually done between the ages of 35 and 40, or when women are finished having children. Having this surgery greatly reduces a woman's risk for ovarian cancer, but it will cause a woman to start menopause early, which may have other risks.
Home Treatment
The side effects of ovarian cancer treatment can be serious. Your doctor may give you medicines to help you with certain side effects. Healthy habits—such as eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep and exercise—may help control your symptoms. You can try home treatments:
- For nausea or vomiting, such as ginger or peppermint tea, gum, or candy.
- For diarrhea, such as small, frequent sips of water and bites of salty crackers.
- For constipation, such as plenty of water and fibre in your diet. Do not use a laxative without first talking to your doctor.
Other issues that can be treated at home include:
- Sleep problems. If you have trouble sleeping, try having a regular bedtime and getting exercise daily.
- Feeling very tired. If you lack energy or become weak easily, try to manage your energy and get extra rest.
- Hair loss. Hair loss may be unavoidable. But using mild shampoos and avoiding damaging hair products will reduce irritation of your scalp.
- Pain. Home treatment can help you manage pain. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any home treatment you use.
Handling the stress of having cancer
Having cancer can be very stressful, and it may feel overwhelming to face the challenges in front of you. Finding new ways of coping with the symptoms of stress may improve your overall quality of life.
These ideas may help:
- Get the support you need. Spend time with people who care about you, and let them help you.
- Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, and eat nourishing foods.
- Talk about your feelings. Find a support group where you can share your experience.
- Try new ways to relax. And do things each day that help you stay calm and relaxed. Stress reduction techniques may help.
Having cancer can change your life in many ways. For support in managing these changes, see the topic Getting Support When You Have Cancer.
Medications
Chemotherapy is used to shrink ovarian cancer and slow cancer growth. Chemotherapy is recommended for most women after the initial surgery for ovarian cancer. But sometimes chemotherapy is given to shrink the cancer before surgery. The number of cycles of treatment will depend on the stage of your disease.
Chemotherapy medicines for ovarian cancer may be taken by mouth, injected into a vein (IV), or given through a thin tube into the body (intraperitoneal, or IP). Sometimes treatments may be combined to give women both IV and IP chemotherapy.
Targeted therapy and hormone therapy are other treatments that include medicines to treat ovarian cancer. Targeted therapy medicines may be given by IV or as pills or capsules. Hormone therapy medicines are given as injections, tablets, or pills.
Medicine choices
Here are some medicines that may be used.
- Chemotherapy may include medicines such as carboplatin, paclitaxel, and docetaxel.
- Targeted therapy may include medicines such as bevacizumab or olaparib.
- Hormone therapy may include medicines such as anastrozole, leuprolide, or tamoxifen.
Treatment of ovarian cancer with chemotherapy can cause nausea and vomiting. To help relieve nausea, your doctor will prescribe medicines you can take with your treatments and when you get home.
What to think about
Having both IV and IP chemotherapy often causes more serious side effects than having only IV or IP treatment. Side effects include belly pain, nerve pain (neuropathy), and kidney or liver problems. Your medical team will watch you closely. If your doctor has given you instructions or medicines to treat your symptoms, be sure to follow them.
Surgery
Surgery is the main treatment for ovarian cancer.
Surgery choices
- A total hysterectomy. This surgery removes the uterus and the cervix.
- A unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This surgery removes one ovary and one fallopian tube.
- A bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This surgery removes both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.
- An omentectomy. This surgery removes the fatty tissue (omentum) attached to some of the organs in the belly. It's done to see if the cancer has spread.
- A lymph node biopsy. Nearby lymph nodes are removed and checked for cancer cells.
If you have very early-stage ovarian cancer and wish to have children, discuss your choices with your doctor.
What to think about
Having an experienced gynecologic oncologist will help you get the best possible treatment.
Side effects from your surgery can include pain, trouble urinating or problems with your bowels, such as constipation or diarrhea. Your ability to have or enjoy sexual intercourse may also be affected.
If your ovaries are removed, you may have symptoms of menopause. Talk with your doctor about treatment to manage these symptoms.
Other Treatment
Radiation treatment
Radiation treatment for ovarian cancer uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. It's not used very often to treat ovarian cancer.
Side effects of radiation may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain or discomfort when urinating, and bloody stools. The skin in the area where you get radiation may become red and tender. These side effects will slowly go away after this treatment ends.
Complementary therapies
People sometimes use complementary therapies along with medical treatment to help relieve symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments. Some of the complementary therapies that may be helpful include:
- Acupuncture to relieve pain.
- Breathing exercises for relaxation.
- Massage and biofeedback to reduce pain and ease tension.
- Meditation or yoga to relieve stress.
These mind-body treatments may help you feel better. They can make it easier to cope with treatment. They also may reduce chronic low back pain, joint pain, headaches, and pain from treatments.
Before you try a complementary therapy, talk to your doctor about the possible value and potential side effects. Let your doctor know if you are already using any of these therapies. They are not meant to take the place of standard medical treatment.
Related Information
References
Citations
- Fleming GF, et al. (2009). Epithelial ovarian cancer. In RR Barakat et al., eds., Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology, 5th ed., pp. 763–835. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2018). Screening for ovarian cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA, 319(6): 595–606. DOI:10.1001/jama.2017.21421. Accessed online February 14, 2018.
- Cass II, Karlan BY (2008). Ovarian and tubal cancers. In RS Gibbs et al., eds., Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 1022–1060. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Other Works Consulted
- Fritz MA, Speroff L (2011). Postmenopausal hormone therapy. In Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility, 8th ed., pp. 749–857. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- National Cancer Institute (2012). Ovarian Epithelial Cancer Treatment (PDQ)—Patient Version. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/ovarianepithelial/Patient.
- National Cancer Institute (2013). Ovarian Epithelial Cancer Treatment (PDQ)—Health Professional Version. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/ovarianepithelial/HealthProfessional.
- Vergote I, et al. (2010). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or primary surgery in stage IIIC or IV ovarian cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 363(10): 943–953.
Credits
Current as of:
September 8, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine
Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Ross Berkowitz MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current as of: September 8, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine & Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Ross Berkowitz MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.