Isn`t it interesting that there are markers of prostate cancer, a male disease, but not markers yet for ovarian cancer, a female disease.

Has anyone correlated the onset of symptoms versus the incidence of ovarian cancer? It is unclear whether they were comparing all women with symptoms to women whose symptoms suddenly appeared.

I ask that as last year I had an ovary removed which turned out to be a benign tumor. I had complained of severe cramps for several years (at least two previous GYN annuals) which I had not experienced prior to that time since I was a teenager.....many decades before. It was not until the nurse practioner felt something herself did anyone look further. Both she and the GYN who did the surgery believed there was no correlation between the tumor and the cramps yet I have not had another cramp since the surgery took place six months ago. Had it been cancer I suspect I would be dead or dying.

It's unfortunate that many providers will take Dr. Rossing's study as a guide to limit further tests for women who present with the vague and persistent symptoms of this silent disease. I agree with Dr. Goff, "... that if you have symptoms, you need to be evaluated." My wife is an 8-year OVCA survivor, whose astute OBGYN recommended a relatively inexpensive and widely available ultrasound test. This test led, in her case, to the more expensive MRI, which confirmed the need for surgery. For women who proceed to surgery, it is important that an OBGYN and an Oncologist work together.

The primary reason OVCA is considered to be 'nearly always fatal' is precisely because it is not usually detected early enough. My wife is still alive because her cancer was discovered at Stage Ic, and with a standard treatment of chemotherapy following the surgery her cancer has not returned. Early detection is critical.

By the way, there is a blood marker for these cancer growths (CA125), although it is not present in all women, and for those with the marker its validity must be confirmed via a baseline lab test obtained prior to the surgery (with surgery providing the diagnosis confirmation), and subsequent tests after the surgery to determine its reliability.

I am particularly moved to comment as I realize it is 8 years to the day (January 29) since my wife's surgery confirmed the OVCA diagnosis. We are truly fortunate to have had a responsive OBGYN physician who listened to my wife's complaints and recommended further action.

By the time a woman has significant bloating and abdominal pain, if it's ovarian cancer, it's likely progressed to stage 4.

For me, it was stage IV non-Hodgkins lymphoma after cat scans and complaints to various GI docs for 4 years until I had enough and became my own advocate. Unless you push, doctors hesitate to order expensive tests that the insurance companies may give grief over paying. Until resulting lab tests justify the need for further testing, the cancer has progressed.

My primary doc stated Maryland was #4 in the nation. Glad to see where all my taxes go. Hey, government, clean up our air and the water and a national BAN on trans fats. Lifestyle changes are great, but we eat, drink and breath pollutants no matter what.

My sister died of ovarian cancer.  Her symptoms started off as bloating, mild abdominal discomfort and constipation. She tried to treat the symptoms herself and two weeks later realized something was going on in her body that required medical assistance.  She was one month short of her yearly physical and up until that time had been healthy and robust.  Surgery took place within days and was followed with extensive chemotherapy - it was Stage III and within months turned to Stage IV.  It was a long and painful journey and her passage was not easy.  My opinion is that screening should be done routinely on women.