Pregnancy and lactation reduce the risk of ovarian cancer

Pregnancy and lactation reduce the risk of ovarian cancer as stated by Dr. Andrés Poveda, coordinator of the oncology service of Quirónsalud Valencia and President of the World Gynecological Cancer Research Group. Pregnancy and lactation reduce the risk of suffer from ovarian cancer as stated by Dr. Andrés Poveda, coordinator of the oncology service of Quirónsalud Valencia and President of the Gynecological Cancer Research Group.

In Spain, ovarian cancer is the fourth cause of cancer death in women and, although it is not extremely frequent, more than 3,200 new cases are diagnosed each year. The age group with the highest incidence is between 55 and 65 years old, and although it is not very frequent, it is usually very aggressive and insidious at the time of diagnosis due to the non-specificity of its symptoms, mistaking it for abdominal discomfort similar to an indigestion. Among the most common symptoms the specialist highlights abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation that may be accompanied by discomfort in the lower area, the appearance of bulges in the abdomen, changes in the intestinal rhythm and, in some cases, the appearance of vaginal hemorrhages between menstrual cycles or in menopausal women. Given these symptoms, Dr. Poveda recommends going to the doctor and performing the relevant tests.

In terms of treatment, the complexity of the disease makes the work in multidisciplinary teams the key point to ensure the greatest therapeutic success. "As confirmed by the results of numerous clinical epidemiological studies, the pillars of ovarian cancer treatment are based on the complete resection of the disease by a gynecologist expert in oncological surgery of ovarian cancer and its subsequent treatment with chemotherapy, by a team of oncologists also experts, "says Dr. Poveda," the quality of medical care increases significantly when a patient affected by ovarian cancer not only receives care by specialized professionals, but the entire course of treatment is carried out in specialized teams in the comprehensive treatment of cancer treatment ".

The importance of recognizing your symptoms

As indicated by Paloma Luís, vice president of ASACO in Spain, "ovarian cancer in the early stages does not produce symptoms, and when they appear they are very nonspecific and could be due to other minor pathologies. If we know them we can put on the track to primary care physicians, emergency and gynecologists to perform the relevant tests, analytical and imaging tests that will probably discard it but if we confirm our diagnosis would be earlier, it is also important that women know that the importance of their treatment by multidisciplinary teams experts in ovarian cancer ".

Since 2013, patient organizations from around the world have come together to give visibility to ovarian cancer. In Spain from ASACO, which is part of this international coalition, they hold various awareness-raising activities with information tables and workshops in which top-level experts in ovarian cancer collaborate in several cities in Spain. The Association of People Affected by Ovarian Cancer (ASACO) has organized for next Tuesday, May 8, World Day of this disease, in the Bancaja Foundation of Valencia, a meeting where the importance of the multidisciplinary approach and genetics will be discussed in the treatment of this disease.