Ovarian Cancer risk management

The 5-year survival rate for stage 1 is around 90%, whereas for stage III or IV, which is most often the stage at which the tumor is diagnosed, is less than 30%. Vague symptoms of the disease, such as abdominal discomfort, gas, bloating, nausea and urinary urgency, which may not manifest until the disease is advanced makes early detection a challenge.

While you can't completely do away with the risk of ovarian cancer through diet and exercise you will be able to significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer as well as all other types of cancer. Staying healthy and watching your weight is an important personal strategy to help your body stay healthy and avoid all types of cancer and diseases.

Various studies have looked at the relationship of obesity and ovarian cancer. Overall, it seems that obese women (those with a body mass index of at least 30) have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. A study from the American Cancer Society found a higher rate of death from ovarian cancer in obese women. The risk increased by 50% in the heaviest women.

The risk of developing ovarian cancer gets higher with age. Ovarian cancer is rare in women younger than 40. Most ovarian cancers develop after menopause. Half of all ovarian cancers are found in women over the age of 63.


OVA1 uses a blood sample to test for levels of five proteins that change due to ovarian cancer. The test combines the five separate results into a single numerical score between 0 and 10 to indicate the likelihood that the pelvic mass is benign or malignant.

OVA1 is intended only for women, 18 years and older, who are already selected for surgery because of their pelvic mass. It is not intended for ovarian cancer screening or for a definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Interpreting the test result requires knowledge of whether the woman is pre- or post-menopausal

OVA1 measures serum levels of five proteins whose expression is altered in ovarian cancer—CA-125 II, transthyretin (prealbumin), apolipoprotein A1, b2-microglobulin, and transferrin.

CA 125 is a protein present in normal ovarian tissue and appears in the blood when protective barriers are destroyed, as occurs in cancer or endometriosis. This test is a tumor marker for monitoring disease progression and reoccurrence in ovarian cancer. CA 125 can also be detected in other cancers such as pancreas, liver, colon, breast and lung. This test is not intended as a screening tool for diagnosis of ovarian cancer.Your CA 125 level can be checked with or without fasting.

Transferrin saturation of more than 60% has been identified as a cancer risk factor.

Transthyretin has traditionally been seen as a biomarker for nutritional status, it was previously referred to as prealbumin.

Beta2-Microglobulin is a protein found on the surface of many cells in your body. This test can help determine if you have specific types of cancer affecting white blood cells including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma or kidney disease.


Some supplement suggestions that include herbs that have been researched for ovarian cancer.

Quercetin is a powerful anti-cancer agent which stops chemical signals that give ovarian cancer cells a growth advantage over healthy cells. Green peppers are full of quercetin. In supplement form, the generally recommended dose is 125-250 mg 3 times daily, between meals. Note: the centerpiece of the oleander extract contains small amounts of quercetin. Do not take quercetin with cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimunne) or nifedipine (Procardia).

Astragalus-Increases production of immune-system chemical interleukin-2 (IL -2), which fights cancer and the human papilloma virus (HPV). Activates gene pS3. The generally recommended dose is 500-1,000 mg 3 times daily.

Milk thistle extracts inhibit growth of ovarian cancer cells and prevent angiogenesis. Also helps protect and regenerate the liver. The generally recommended dose is from 400 to 1000 mg or more per day.

Green tea Catechin Extract- Deactivates plasmin, which helps tumors spread. The generally recommended dose is 250-500 mg daily.

Plant polyphenols such as resveratrol in tablet/supplement form. Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol called a phytoalexin, a class of compounds produced as part of a plant's defense system against disease which is produced in the plant in response to an invading fungus, stress, injury, infection or ultraviolet irradiation. Resveratrol has been shown to reduce tumor incidence in animals by affecting one or more stages of cancer development, including ovarian cancer. Red wine contains high levels of resveratrol, as do grapes, raspberries, peanuts and other plants.

Selenium is a powerful cancer fighter that also protects the liver and is essential for proper iodine utilization. Most women who get ovarian cancer are deficient in selenium, The generally recommended dose without medical supervision is 200 to 400 mcg daily, although nutritionally-oriented physicians may use as much as 900 to 2,000 mcg selenium from methylselenocysteine daily as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment protocol.
Some natural substances (pomegranate, turmeric, resveratrol) compete with estradiol (the most active form of estrogen) at estrogen receptor sites, and can therefore be especially effective for estrogen-dominant conditions including fibroids, ovarian cysts, PMS and hormone related weight gain, among others. It also acts by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, stopping the conversion of androgens into estrogen. Additionally, PriVita can also induce more interferon in the system, which activates natural killer cells, a major component of the immune system.