Doctors all over the country are conducting many types of clinical trials
(research studies in which people volunteer to take part). They are studying new
and better ways to prevent, detect, and treat ovarian cancer.
Clinical trials are designed to answer important questions and to find out
whether new approaches are safe and effective. Research already has led to
advances, and researchers continue to search for more effective methods.
Women who join clinical trials may be among the first to benefit if a new
approach is effective. And even if the women in a trial do not benefit directly,
they may still make an important contribution by helping doctors learn more
about ovarian cancer and how to control it. Although clinical trials may pose
some risks, researchers do all they can to protect their patients.
Researchers are conducting studies with women across the country:
Prevention studies: For women who have a family history of ovarian cancer,
the risk of developing the disease may be reduced by removing the ovaries before
cancer is detected. This surgery is called prophylactic oophorectomy. Women who
are at high risk of ovarian cancer are taking part in trials to study the
benefits and harms of this surgery. Other doctors are studying whether certain
drugs can help prevent ovarian cancer in women at high risk.
Screening studies: Researchers are studying ways to find ovarian cancer in
women who do not have symptoms.
Treatment studies: Doctors are testing novel drugs and new combinations. They
are studying biological therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal
antibodies can bind to cancer cells. They interfere with cancer cell growth and
the spread of cancer.
If you are interested in being part of a clinical trial, talk with your
doctor. You may want to read the NCI booklets Taking Part in Clinical Trials:
What Cancer Patients Need To Know and Taking Part in Clinical Trials: Cancer
Prevention Studies. NCI also offers an easy-to-read brochure called If You Have
Cancer...What You Should Know About Clinical Trials. These NCI publications
describe how clinical trials are carried out and explain their possible benefits
and risks.
NCI's Web site includes a section on clinical trials at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials.
It has general information about clinical trials as well as detailed information
about specific ongoing studies of ovarian cancer. NCI's Information Specialists
at 1-800-4-CANCER or at LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov/help can answer
questions and provide information about clinical trials.
Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled, sac-like structures within an ovary. Causes of ovarian cysts are numerous. Symptoms of an ovarian cysts may be pain in the belly or pelvis. Treatment of an ovarian cysts depends on type of cyst.
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Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority of caregivers are middle-aged women. Caregiving can be very stressful, so it's important to recognize when it's putting to much strain on you and to take steps to prevent/relieve stress.
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