Taking Charge: 如果你是卵巢癌的高危人群
If you have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, your doctor may periodically order a blood test that has shown some usefulness in finding epithelial ovarian cancer. 它测量血液中的一种物质叫做 CA-125. 不幸的是,这个测试不是很具体. Levels of CA-125 may be elevated in women who do not have ovarian cancer, 或者,在女性中,这一比例很低.
Another test that is sometimes used to screen high-risk women is 经阴道超声. This involves putting a small instrument in the vagina to image the ovaries with sound waves. 没有辐射.
Many cases of familial epithelial ovarian cancer that result from inherited abnormalities in the gene (genetic mutations) can be identified by genetic testing. Inherited mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for about 5 percent to 10 percent of breast and ovarian cancers. In most people, these genes make proteins that keep cells from growing abnormally. If a woman has inherited a mutated gene from either parent, this cancer-preventing protein is less effective.
About half of women with inherited BRCA1 mutations will develop breast and/or ovarian cancer by the age of 70. A mutation in the BRCA2 gene also increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer, 但没有BRCA1突变那么严重. 此外,一种罕见的 结肠癌 这是家族遗传, 遗传性非息肉病性结肠癌, somewhat increases the risk for developing ovarian cancer.
Deciding whether to undergo genetic testing is a complicated process. A genetic counselor can walk you through the process and make sure that you consider all the arguments for and against testing.
Preventive Treatment Options for High-Risk Women
口服避孕药的使用
Taking birth control pills may decrease ovarian cancer in women at high risk — possibly reducing the cancer risk by half. 然而, their use may increase the risk of breast cancer in women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, 所以还需要进一步的研究.
Preventive Surgery (Prophylactic Oophorectomy)
Sometimes high-risk women elect to have both ovaries removed before cancer occurs. This surgery (prophylactic oophorectomy) is usually recommended only for very high-risk women who have completed their child-bearing, 因为它会导致早产 更年期. Women who undergo prophylactic oophorectomy may still occasionally develop a primary peritoneal cancer (cancer of the tissue lining the abdomen), 哪一种会表现得像卵巢癌.
阅读更多:
- 负责的下一部分: 卵巢癌筛查
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加州大学旧金山分校健康 medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.