Ovarian cancer is a silent killer that begins in the ovaries, which are the female reproductive organs whose main function is to develop eggs and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. It is one of the deadliest cancers for women because it is hard to diagnose early, and the disease might have already gone into its advanced stage when actually detected. Although, in nature, ovarian cancer is a disease resulting from lifestyle and environmental factors, some may be hereditary and therefore passed down through families.
This article will focus on the link with ovarian cancer that is genetic. In this paper, we are going to learn about genetic mutations that could make individuals risk ovarian cancer. We will understand why knowing your family health history matters, and how this will impact genetic testing and also the ways genetic changes have an influence on prevention options and the treatments.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Let’s give ourselves a very brief definition of ovarian cancer before we head forward:. Ovarian cancer is a condition in which cells of the ovaries start growing uncontrollably. These unchecked cells grow together to form a mass called a tumor and then these cells may invade other parts of the body. The role of ovaries is vital since it can produce eggs that might be fertilized for conception and also manufacture hormones in order to regulate menstruation and pregnancy.
The challenging part about ovarian cancer is that it shows symptoms only at a more advanced stage. Other symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pain, or difficulty urinating can contribute to some other health conditions so it is easy to be confused and mistaken with other medical issues. These facts have led many women to diagnose the disease at later stages, hence, spreading of the disease will make it even more challenging to be treated properly.
What does it mean if ovarian cancer is genetic?
Now, let’s talk a little bit about genetics and how they may affect your chances of getting ovarian cancer. A gene is basically small information in the cells of our body. They determine everything ranging from how we look, to how our bodies work. For example, when a person gets certain genetic changes or mutations from their parents, that may increase their chance to get certain diseases. In this case, ovarian cancer.
Genetic mutation is the alteration in DNA, and it may be due to many factors. Some of the mutations are genetic in nature and can be inherited. Characteristic inheritance from one generation to the other is an example. If the inherited genetic mutation increases the susceptibility of a person to the disease, he will suffer more from ovarian cancer.
This means at other times ovarian cancer can be genetic. In a family, history of ovarian cancer may expose greater risks to other members of the family. Knowledge of such genetic changes helps doctors determine how best to prevent or treat ovarian cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Mutations and Ovarian Cancer
The most commonly identified mutations with ovarian cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2. The genes play a role in repairing the damage to our DNA. This is vital because damaged DNA can make cells start to grow and multiply, causing cancer. However, when the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene contains a mutation, its repairing ability on DNA is weaker, thus exposing one to the risk of cancer.
BRCA1 Mutation Women that inherit a BRCA1 mutation are at a very high risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer. Using the lifetime risk, it is calculated that ovarian cancer risks for women with a BRCA1 mutation work out to be 39-46%, which are much higher than women who do not have this mutation suffer from average risks.
BRCA2 Mutation: A mutation in the gene for BRCA2 in women confers increased risk to ovarian cancer. This is once more less risk than that of having a BRCA1 mutation, but it is indeed significant nonetheless. The woman who has a mutation in BRCA2 stands a very high likelihood to experience ovarian cancer at the frequency of 10-27%. Like all of those increased risks for breast cancers and several others that also include pancreatic with the BRCA1 mutations, there will be a raised cancers risk associated with the mutations of BRCA2.
These mutations do not only increase the chances of ovarian and breast cancers but also influence how cancer behaves, sometimes making it more aggressive. For instance, the response of women with BRCA mutations to treatment for ovarian cancer could be different from that of women without such mutations.
What Does This Mean for Families?
If a person has BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, then the mutation is passed down to his children. Since it’s autosomally dominant, therefore, there is a 50 percent chance that any child may inherit that mutation if the parent carries the same. Therefore, because of this cause, the risks of ovarian cancer and other cancers also become increased due to the fact that the mother is carrying the BRCA mutation for her children while passing the same over to her sons and daughters.
You should discuss your history with your doctor if you have a family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Such a family history may imply a stronger genetic risk, and in such cases, it’s recommended to consult a Cancer Specialist in Ahmedabad to understand your risk and how useful it would be for you to go for genetic tests.
What is genetic testing?
Genetic testing is the discovery of whether a person inherited specific mutations of the genes that will increase the risk of one developing cancer. Genetic tests will scan a sample of blood or saliva for looking for mutations in genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. A person testing positive to one of these mutations can help doctors reevaluate risks for developing ovarian cancer, as well as other cancers.
Other essential information would be gleaned from genetic testing, such as in the course of prevention and treatment. For example, a female who has a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene may decide to have regular screening for ovarian cancer or even decide to have removal of her ovaries so that she does not suffer such a situation in the future.
In addition, it is also important to note that not all people who carry a BRCA mutation develop ovarian cancer. The knowledge of this risk enables individuals to make decisions about their health and reduces the incidence of cancer.
Lynch Syndrome and Ovarian Cancer
This syndrome also confers a higher-than-average predisposition to ovarian cancer, and is the second hereditary syndrome. Also referred to as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC, it results from mutations of several genes that might otherwise function to repair breaks in DNA; in these mutated forms, they cannot function properly and therefore can launch cancer – ovarian included.
Women with Lynch syndrome have a strongly increased risk for ovarian cancer, although the lifetime risk for these women is lower than that for women with BRCA mutations. The risks for cancers other than ovarian cancer are also increased for women with Lynch syndrome, and these include colorectal and endometrial cancer. Like BRCA mutations, Lynch syndrome mutations are inherited; hence if you have some history of ovarian cancer in your family or cancers known to be caused by Lynch syndrome, then you are forced to consult the best Cancer Doctor in Ahmedabad.
What Can be Done About Ovarian Cancer?
If there’s a family history of ovarian cancer, then it’s always a good idea to discuss this with your doctor about your risk. A Cancer Specialist in Ahmedabad like Dr. Vikesh Shah will help understand if genetic testing might be right for you. If you do have a genetic mutation, your doctor will suggest ways in which your risk can be lowered and your health more closely monitored.
Some of the things that may be suggested for women who are at risk include:
Genetic Testing: If a family history of ovarian cancer exists, then genetic testing may indeed be the reason for the answers of whether or not that person carries a BRCA or another mutation that could contribute to the risk of further cancers.
Screenings and Tests: Women at a higher risk are referred to the doctor’s clinic for follow-up tests that may include ultrasounds and periodic blood tests for CA-125, a protein significantly expressed in ovarian cancer.
Prophylactic Surgeries: Women at high risk go for preventive surgeries like oophorectomy or removal of the ovaries, which decreased the risk of ovarian carcinoma to a significant extent.
Conclusion
Ovarian cancer, often linked to hereditary mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2, demands proactive care. Understanding your genetic risk empowers you to take preventive steps and access personalized treatments. Dr. Vikesh Shah, a leader in oncology and genetics, offers expert guidance, tailored care, and cutting-edge therapies. Take control of your health with confidence. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward a healthier, brighter future.