Cancer caregivers, if your loved one has ovarian cancer, there is something you need to know, something that could save your loved one’s life. A new study presented to the Society of Gynecologic Oncology reportedly determined that most women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are not receiving treatments that could extend their lives by a year or more.
The reason? These women put themselves in the hands of physicians without enough experience to treat the disease effectively.
The most effective treatment for ovarian cancer is very complex. It involves surgery, called complete debulking, to remove all evidence of the cancer, and this sometimes includes other organs. The reason for this is to enable the intensive chemotherapy the best chance to succeed in eradicated any remaining cancer cells.
What should women who receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer know? It matters who provides the treatment and what that treatment is. According to the study, one reason for treatment failure was that the many women were operated on by general surgeons or gynecologists, rather than by gynecologic oncologists. Very often, gynecologists and general surgeons practiced conservative surgery, only removing a portion of the diseased tissue. According to the study, led by Dr. Robert E. Bristow of the University of California at Irvine, more than 80% of the women were treated by doctors who lacked the expertise of gynecologic oncologists.
In general, a surgeon who performs less than ten of these surgeries a year is less likely to stick to the guidelines set by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which recommends specific protocols for ovarian cancer treatment, according to each stage of the disease.
Ovarian cancer is reportedly a disease that is less likely to spread, through the lymph nodes and bloodstream, to other organs in the body. This means that a woman who receives the right treatment has a far better prognosis, not just to gain an extra year or two, but to survive and manage the disease.
Cancer caregivers should always be proactive in helping a loved one understand treatment options and that sometimes means asking the hard questions, especially when it can affect a loved one’s quality of life. How often does the specific physician treat this type of cancer? How often does the medical center treat these patients? What is the survival rate for these patients?
Many patients can and do travel to receive the right cancer treatment, especially for complicated cases. This is one situation in which you can actually provide your loved one with a better chance to survive, so it pays to do your homework. Don’t just accept the idea that the first doctor to set eyes on your loved one is the right care provider. Don’t rush into treatment because fear drives the bus. Educate yourself. Do the research. Understand what the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends for standard treatment of your loved one’s cancer. Check out their website:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
They have a great section on patient resources, providing information on everything from clinical trials to NCCN cancer centers near you. Be proactive for your loved ones, cancer caregivers!
For more help with your caregiving, visit The Practical Caregiver Guides