By Linda Winkler Garvin
Clearity’s Perspective: Linda Winkler Garvin has a Masters degree in nursing, adult nurse practitioner training, and over 30 years of healthcare experience. Her story is an example of how even those with a medical background may have difficulty recognizing ovarian cancer symptoms. As an ovarian cancer survivor and Clearity Ambassador, she is committed to sharing her experience and educating others in the hope that more awareness will result in earlier diagnoses. She tells her story about cancer in two parts – this second part is about risk factors.
Part 2: Ovarian Cancer – What Are The Chances?
In the Part 1, I shared the statistic that a woman’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is reported to be 1 in 87. However, I learned there are factors which can increase an individual’s risk.
For example, women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, like me, are at a higher risk. For this reason, it is vital to know your familial history. If you have a family history of breast, uterine, ovarian, or colorectal cancer this increases your risk.
Your family medical history can provide valuable information about potential genetic or hereditary risks for various health conditions, including ovarian cancer. Many health conditions, including certain types of cancer, can have a genetic component.
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are critical in understanding the genetic risk factors for certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. Mutations in these genes, or in other genes such as PALB2 or RAD51C/D, can significantly increase the risk of developing these cancers. Individuals with a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancers should consider genetic testing to identify mutations in these genes. Genetic counselors are experts who can help you understand your genetic testing results, clarify risks for additional cancers, and support you in the process of sharing your results with relatives and children.
Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are about 10 times more common in those who are Ashkenazi Jewish than those in the general U.S. population. The lifetime ovarian cancer risk for women with a BRCA1 mutation is estimated to be between 35% and 70%.
Age is a significant risk factor in developing ovarian cancer, and the risk tends to increase with age, especially after menopause. However, it is important to note that having one or more risk factors does not guarantee that an individual will develop ovarian cancer, and many women with ovarian cancer have no known risk factors.
Factors that may increase your risk for ovarian cancer:
- A family history of ovarian, breast, uterine or colorectal cancer
- Increased age
- Genetic mutations in your BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
- Being post-menopausal
- Ashkenazi Jewish descent
There are also factors that can decrease your risk for ovarian cancer:
- The use of oral contraceptives
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
It’s important to stress that some women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have no known risk factors. If you think you may be at risk, I urge you to speak with your doctor, preferably your gynecologist.
The most important message I have is to be vigilant and advocate for your health and your health care. Be attuned to any unusual or persistent symptoms mentioned above, and if they persist for more than a few weeks, take proactive steps to seek medical attention. Your awareness and proactive approach can make a significant difference in early detection and overall health outcomes.
Knowing the symptoms and risk factors associated with ovarian cancer, coupled with undergoing annual gynecological check-ups can lead to a diagnosis at an earlier, more treatable stage. Furthermore, we can all advocate for research to enhance screening methods and develop more effective treatments to minimize the impact of ovarian cancer on women’s health.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, below are some resources I have found valuable:
- The Clearity Foundation
- Ovarian Cancer Research Association Foundation
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
- the National Cancer Institute
- Nancy’s list– Nancy’s list is one of the most comprehensive and valuable catalogs of resources I have come across.
- The Society of Gynecologic Oncology
- Center for Advancement of Cancer Education
Sources:
- American Cancer Society. (2021). Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors.
- Centers for Disease Control. (2024). Jewish Women And BRCA Gene Mutations.
- Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. (ND). Causes And Risk Factors.
- MD Anderson. (2017). How To Lower Your Ovarian Cancer Risk.
Linda’s Information:
Linda Winkler Garvin, MSN
Health Advocacy & Consulting
President & Founder, Patient Advocate Bay Area, Inc.
Ambassador & Advocate for The Clearity Foundation
E-mail: lindawgarvin@gmail.com
Phone: (510) 520-0186