Ovarian Cancer is not often diagnosed in its early stages, this is because there are minimal early symptoms to suggest a diagnosis.
Similar to the common screening tests we have today, where by breast mammograms are used to look for breast cancer and PAP smears are used to look for changes that may lead to cervical cancer, there is no common screen for Ovarian Cancer.
Cancer will alter the appearance and the blood supply of the ovary but it has proved difficult to detect cancer of the ovary using screening programs.
However with a Pelvic Ultrasound, both the appearance of the ovary and the blood supply are able to be detected, as long as there is:
(a) a high level of expertise in the sonographer acquiring the appropriate ultrasound images, and
(b) a high level of diagnostic judgement in the interpretation of the images by the reporting specialist.
Our sonographers and specialist doctors are recognised as having the highest level of expertise in assessment of the ovaries using both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound.
By having an ultrasound assessment of your pelvis, we can not only look for changes in the ovaries but also gain confidence about the normality or otherwise of your uterus and endometrium.
Unfortunately ovarian cancer is often diagnosed late, when it is in an advanced stage and because of this, ovarian cancer has become the most common cause of death from a gynaecological cause.
Today, 1 in 80 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime, most occur over the age of 40 years with 6 out of 10 ovarian cancer occurring in women over the age of 60.
If there is a history of ovarian or other gynaecological cancer in your family, or if you are concerned about this disease, we recommend regular pelvic ultrasound screening.
Contact one of our team members for more information on 1300 557 226.
