Many women mistakenly believe a paps smear can detect overian cancer, survey found
NEW YORK - There is no test to screen for ovarian cancer but a new survey finds many women mistakenly believe pap smears can detect it which may put them at risk.
Katya Lezin has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer twice, the first time when she was 46 years old.
"My kids at the time were 11, 15, and 17, and I was facing the very real possibility that I may not be able to see them into adulthood," she said.
Ovarian cancer has a 50 percent survival rate over five years. If it's caught at Stage 1, those odds improve to more than 90 percent. But a new nationwide survey found 7 in 10 women wrongly believe pap smears test for ovarian cancer.
"The pap smear screens for cervical cancer, only," said Dr. Ifeyinwa Stitt, Medical Director of Luminis Health.
Dr. Stitt said because guidelines now recommend pap smears every three to five years, too many women skip annual checkups that could catch potential early symptoms of ovarian cancer; like pelvic pain, bloating, or low appetite.
"By not being seen annually we lose the opportunity to screen for some of these subtle presentations," said Dr. Stitt.
For those with a family history, genetic testing can identify risk. Lezin carries the BRCA 1 gene mutation that increases the chance of multiple cancers, including breast cancer. It's knowledge that can help with treatment and prevention.
"I elected to have a prophylactic double mastectomy that was fully paid for by my insurance company because of my mutation," said Lezin.
More than 10 years after her first diagnosis, she is living proof you can survive ovarian cancer.
"Let's arm ourselves with the right information and be proactive about our health before you get that call that says I don't know how to tell you this," said Dr. Stitt.
According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 20 thousand women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year.
