One in every 60 women develops ovarian cancer. It is the fourth deadliest cancer among women because it is often diagnosed late, when treatment is more difficult or less successful. Ovarian cancer is sometimes called a “silent” killer because its symptoms can be vague or confused with other common symptoms (bloating, pelvic pain or pressure, leg pain, urinary urgency, or bleeding between periods or after menopause).

The Cancer Center aims to reduce the number of women developing ovarian cancer with the Division of Gynecologic Oncology’s Maureen Fund for Ovarian Cancer. The Maureen Fund provides ovarian cancer screenings and prevention services for high-risk women with a goal toward detecting ovarian cancer early when it is most treatable. Women at high risk include those with a personal history of breast cancer; a family history of ovarian and/or breast cancer, particularly those who were diagnosed before age 40; early onset of menstruation; having a first child after age 30 or not having children at all; and menopause after age 50.

The program’s services include risk assessments, blood testing for the CA 125 protein (which is commonly elevated in women with ovarian cancer), ultrasound screenings, genetic screenings, genetic counseling, and a tumor registry for patient records, follow-up, and banking of malignant tissue samples from patients for research purposes. It can be hard to detect ovarian cancer, but we are working hard so no more women have to die from it. For more information, call The Maureen Fund at 201-996-4287.

1. What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is frequently called a “silent” killer because a woman may not experience specific symptoms. If there are symptoms, they can be vague or confused with other common symptoms. Symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

• sense of fullness, bloating, or pressure in the pelvis
• urinary urgency without infection
• pelvic discomfort or pain
• persistent indigestion or gas
• persistent changes in bowel or bladder patterns, such as constipation, diarrhea, or incontinence
• abnormal vaginal bleeding, including post-menopausal bleeding
• low backache or cramps
• pain during intercourse
• unexplained weight loss or gain

2. Who is at high risk for ovarian cancer?

Women at high risk include those with:

• a personal history of breast cancer, especially for women who carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. These women have a 40 to 60 percent chance of developing the cancer at some point in their lifetime.
• a personal history of colorectal cancer. Five to 10 percent of women with ovarian cancer have also been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Five to 10 percent carry the HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) gene.
• a personal history of uterine cancer
• a family history of ovarian and/or breast cancer in a close relative (mother, sister, daughter, particularly those who were diagnosed before age 40)
• a family history of colorectal cancer. A percentage of women with ovarian cancer have a familial link to colorectal cancer)
• a family history of a genetic predisposition to cancer
• early onset of menstruation (before age 12)
• a first full-term pregnancy after age 30
• over 40 years of age with few or no children
• menopause after age 55
• hormone replacement for greater than 10 years
• Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
• obesity in early childhood (ages 18-21)

3. What services does The Maureen Fund provide?

The Maureen Fund is a prevention program that aims to reduce the number of women developing ovarian cancer through screenings and early detection. We provide a downloadable risk assessment questionnaire at this web site and a more detailed risk assessment at the Women’s Health Services office, located on the sixth floor of the Hackensack University Medical Plaza, 20 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601. We offer blood testing for the CA 125 protein, which is commonly elevated in women with ovarian cancer. Although this test is not as accurate as a mammogram is to detect breast cancer, the CA 125 blood test is the best way we currently have to screen for ovarian cancer. The test can positively diagnose ovarian cancer within 80 percent. When you combine the test with an ultrasound study, the percentage rises to 90 percent.
We also provide genetic testing and counseling for patients who may have a genetic link to ovarian, breast, uterine, or colorectal cancer. Our tumor registry maintains patient records, follows up with patients, and banks malignant tissue samples from patients for research purposes. There are a number of clinical trials in ovarian cancer taking place at The Cancer Center, and these samples provide valuable information for researchers.

4. Who staffs The Maureen Fund?

The Maureen Fund is a program of The Division of Gynecologic Oncology of The Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. The Maureen Fund is headed by the chief of the division, Daniel Smith, M.D., Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, who is skilled in all phases of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian cancer. Dr. Smith is joined by other ovarian cancer specialists, including physicians, nurses, a genetic counselor, ultrasound technologists, tumor registrars, and support staff. This team is highly skilled in helping women understand their risks for ovarian cancer and for helping them choose their options.

5. What can I expect during a screening?

We suggest that you first answer a risk assessment questionnaire on this web site, which will help determine if you are at high risk for ovarian cancer. If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions, you may want to consider coming to our office for a more detailed risk assessment. If you are found to be at high risk for ovarian cancer, you will receive a CA 125 blood test and an ultrasound screening. If these tests are positive, you will be advised to meet with our genetic counselor to determine your risk and discuss your options. You will then be referred back to your private gynecologist for any future treatment. Some high-risk women choose to have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventive measure (called prophylactic treatment).

6. How can I set up an appointment for screening?

Your first step is to fill out the downloadable risk assessment questionnaire on this web site, which will help determine if you are at high risk for ovarian cancer. If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions, you may want to consider contacting the Women’s Health Services, located on the sixth floor of the Hackensack University Medical Plaza, for a more detailed risk assessment. If you are found to be at high risk for ovarian cancer, you will receive a CA 125 blood test and an ultrasound screening. If these tests are positive, you will be advised to meet with our genetic counselor to determine your risk and discuss your options. You will then be referred back to your private gynecologist for any future treatment. Some high-risk women choose to have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventive measure (called prophylactic treatment). For more information or to make an appointment for a detailed risk assessment, call The Maureen Fund at 201-996-4287.

Ovarian cancer is often called the silent killer because early symptoms are frequently subtle and easily confused with other diseases. This questionnaire provides a list of symptoms and risk factors that may be associated with ovarian cancer.

If you respond “Yes” to any of the questions, it may be appropriate for you to contact The Maureen Fund for Ovarian Cancer for a more detailed risk assessment and screening at our office in Women’s Health Services, located on the sixth floor of the Hackensack University Medical Plaza.

The majority of women with the risk factors or symptoms listed below do not have cancer. However, early intervention for those at high risk can save lives. Please feel free to contact us at 201-996-4287 for an appointment or with any questions you might have.

Risk Factors

1. Personal history of breast, colon, or uterine cancer
2. Family history of ovarian or breast cancer in a close relative (mother, sister, daughter)
3. Family history of a predisposition to cancer
4. Over 40 years of age with few or no children
5. Menstruation starting before age 12
6. First full-term pregnancy after the age of 30
7. Menopause occurring after age 50
8. Hormone replacement therapy for greater than 10 years
9. Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
10. Obesity in early adulthood (ages 18-21)

Symptoms

1. Sense of fullness, bloating, or pressure in the pelvis
2. Urinary urgency without infection
3. Pelvic discomfort or pain
4. Persistent indigestion or gas
5. Persistent changes in bowel or bladder patterns, such as constipation, diarrhea, or incontinence
6. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, including post-menopausal bleeding
7. Low backache or cramps
8. Pain during intercourse
9. Unexplained weight loss or gain