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Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Risks Skyrocket for Breast and Ovarian Cancers in
Women with Familial Syndrome
Heredity link is focus for Gynecologic
Cancer Awareness Month
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New poll finds women think they are at risk of gynecologic
cancer but don't know what to do. See poll below
news report. |
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September 12, 2006 – Women with familial
breast-ovarian cancer syndrome – a common inherited condition causing 10
percent of ovarian cancers and up to 10 percent of breast cancers – have
up to a 90 percent lifetime risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer. The
threat of the heredity of this syndrome is the focus in September for
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation.
Both breast and ovarian cancer risks increase with age. Most of these
cancers occur in women over the age of 50, with the highest risk in
women over 60, according to the National Cancer Institute.
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In the United States, approximately 10 percent of
women will develop breast cancer and about two percent of women will
develop ovarian cancer sometime in their lifetime, but the risk are far
higher for a woman who has had either breast or ovarian cancer.
Research, says GFC, confirms that there is a link between breast and
ovarian cancer.
"While these statistics sound alarming," said Dr.
Mary Gemignani, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and GCF member, "there are
steps every woman can take to manage this increased risk. First, it is
extremely important to know your family history of these cancers.
Second, if it is determined that a woman is at increased risk after
undergoing genetic testing, she should discuss the various options with
her health care provider."
Approximately 1 out of every 500 individuals in the
general population are members of a family that inherit and pass on a
mutation or change in the Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA1) or the Breast Cancer 2
(BRCA2) gene, the cause of familial breast-ovarian cancer syndrome.
Women with changes in the BRCA1 gene have an 80 percent chance of
developing breast cancer and a 20 percent to 40 percent chance of being
diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Changes in the BRCA2 gene result in the
same sharply higher risk of developing breast cancer as the BRCA1 gene,
but fewer women, 10 percent to 20 percent, will be diagnosed with
ovarian cancer.
Women who are found to have these changes in the
BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes should consider more intense clinical monitoring,
including mammograms, pelvic ultrasounds and a blood test called a CA
125 test. Women also should consider other protective measures including
medication, life-style changes and preventive surgery.
"It is our hope that during September, Gynecologic
Cancer Awareness Month, and October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
women will have an opportunity to learn more about the inherited link
between breast and ovarian cancer, and take appropriate measures," said
Karl C. Podratz, MD, PhD, chairman of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation.
The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) was
established by SGO in 1991 to develop educational programs for women,
and create awareness about the prevention, early detection and treatment
of gynecologic cancers. The Foundation also supports research and
training related to gynecologic cancers.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization,
GCF raises fund to support these programs from both public and private
sources. To learn more, visit the Web sites at www.thegcf.org or the
Women's Cancer Network at www.wcn.org.
Women Concerned About Developing Reproductive
Cancers but Do Not Know What to Do
Majority are unaware of risk factors or
symptoms, poll finds
A new national poll of women in the United States
released this month found that a majority—54%—believe they are at
personal risk for developing a gynecologic cancer, yet 58% are unaware
of any factors that can lower their risk and 47% could not name any
symptoms of gynecologic cancers.
The poll, which was commissioned by the Gynecologic
Cancer Foundation (GCF) and Research!America, involved telephone
interviews with 800 women regarding their understanding of and concerns
about female reproductive cancers, or gynecologic cancers, including
cervical, uterine and ovarian cancers.
Other findings include:
● Nearly half (46%) of women polled were not aware of any of the risk
factors for developing a gynecologic cancer.
● One in five (19%) could not name any test for female reproductive
cancers, and only 3% mentioned a pelvic exam, which is recommended
annually for women over the age of 18.
● Of those who could name risk factors, 20% cited genetics or family
history, and 11% mentioned exposure to certain viruses/STDs or having
multiple sex partners.
● Of those who could name ways to lower risk, 13% said regular
check-ups/Pap tests, and 12% said a healthy lifestyle/diet.
● Half (51%) of women said that, aside from their doctor, the Internet
is where they would turn for information about reproductive cancers.
Complete poll findings are available at
www.thegcf.org and
www.researchamerica.org.
“The poll findings show that women face a lack of
knowledge about gynecologic cancers,” said Karl C. Podratz, MD, PhD,
chairman of GCF. “Particularly alarming is that half of the women polled
could not name a single symptom, since early detection is critical to
successful treatment. In this case, lack of awareness leads to
unnecessary deaths, so we must work even harder to educate women and
help save lives."
Helping Women Learn How to Maintain Their Health
As part of its activities during September, Gynecologic Cancer
Awareness Month, GCF recommends that women take four steps to inform
themselves about gynecologic cancers and work to maintain their
gynecologic health:
● Get to know your family history,
● Conduct an online risk assessment (visit
www.wcn.org),
● Ask questions and educate yourself about gynecologic cancers, and
● Make an appointment for your annual gynecologic exam and be
screened.
GCF provides additional information about
gynecologic cancers through the Women’s Cancer Network at
www.wcn.org and through its toll-free Information Hotline at
800.444.4441. GCF was founded on the premise that providing women with
current information about gynecologic cancers will empower them to take
appropriate steps to reduce their risks, and to seek early and
appropriate care if symptoms arise. According to the American Cancer
Society, nearly 80,000 women will be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer
in 2005.
Investing in Women’s Health Research
The poll results also showed that women are united
(98%) in the view that the U.S. should invest in research to prevent,
treat and potentially cure gynecologic cancers. An equal number said it
is important for the U.S. to invest in research designed to improve
women’s health overall.
Among health issues of interest to women, 87% of
women polled were concerned about cancer, 83% were concerned about heart
disease and stroke, and 72% were concerned about osteoporosis. Of
cancers that affect women, 84% of women expressed concerns about breast
cancer, 70% about ovarian cancer, 68% about cervical cancer and 66%
about uterine cancer.
“Research has produced many benefits for women’s
health, and women clearly understand that,” said Mary Woolley, president
of Research!America. “The U.S. must continue investing in health and
medical research at a level that sustains the momentum we’ve generated
thus far, to the benefit of women and men alike.”
Notes:
Research!America is a
not-for-profit, membership-supported public education and advocacy
alliance founded in 1989 to make medical and health research—including
research to prevent disease, disability and injury and to promote
health—a much higher national priority.
GCF was founded by the Society of
Gynecologic Oncologists in 1991 to help inform and educate women about
gynecologic cancers in order to help prevent these diseases over time.
Through its activities and programs, GCF works to ensure public
awareness of gynecologic cancer prevention, and the need for early
diagnosis and proper treatment of gynecologic cancers. In addition, GCF
supports research and training related to gynecologic cancers.
Web sites:
National Cancer Institute -
http://www.cancer.gov/
>> http://www.thegcf.org/
>>
http://www.wcn.org/
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