Ovarian cancer may pose a bigger risk to your health than you think.
Diem Brown – MTV reality star, cancer warrior and patient advocate - was only 34 years old when she died after a long battle with ovarian cancer on November 14. She was first diagnosed at 23 years old, and again in 2012. Her tragic story has put a spotlight on ovarian cancer and raised awareness.
Here are the most important questions about ovarian cancer answered with help from the American Cancer Society:
How common is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women. According to World Ovarian Cancer Day, there are about 250,000 women diagnosed each year and about 140,000 deaths from ovarian cancer each year worldwide. A woman’s risk of getting this type of cancer is about 1 in 73 and her risk of dying from it is about 1 in 100.
Who is at risk?
All women are at risk for ovarian cancer. It mainly develops in older women – about half of the women diagnosed are 63 years or older. It is more common in white women than African-American women. Women are most often diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 70, and even more so in women between the ages of 50 and 59. However, it does occur in younger women too. When younger individuals are diagnosed with cancer, it is often more aggressive.
Should I worry about it?
Women should not necessarily worry about ovarian cancer. However, because only about 20 percent of ovarian cancers are found early, women should know what the symptoms are and how to be cautious of it. When this type of cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is about 90-95 percent. According to UConn Health, when the cancer is detected at an advanced stage, the five-year survival rate becomes 18 percent.
Can it be prevented?
Cancer is not preventable. However, being aware of the symptoms will allow for early diagnosis (when the disease is more easily treatable.) The best way women can keep themselves aware is by having a pelvic exam done each year. It is important that your physician is aware of your medical and family history so that all risk factors are taken into account. Routine pap smears do not detect ovarian cancer.
Are there symptoms, signs, or risk factors to be aware of?
The most common symptoms include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms like urgency and frequency. These symptoms may also be caused by non-cancerous diseases and other types of cancers. Symptoms that are persistent and more severe are more concerning, especially if a woman has symptoms more than twelve times a month. If so, a women should see her gynecologist. Other symptoms may include fatigue, upset stomach, back pain, pain during sex, constipation, menstrual changes, and abdominal swelling with weight loss.
Is it treatable?
When ovarian cancer is diagnosed at an early stage – when the cancer is still confined to the ovary. On the other hand, ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed at a late stage. This may be due to symptoms being confused with other, more common issues. This is why it’s important to track the frequency of the symptoms.
Read the full article here: http://fxn.ws/1vSr86Q
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Ovarian Cancer at 17. Soon-to-be Mom at 34.
Posted by Anonymous on 10:16 AM
This soon-to-be Mom battled ovarian cancer at 17. Read her story here:
This week we’re spotlighting MOCA, the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance as part of our Trees of Hope campaign.
Ovarian cancer occurs in 1 in 71 women. Fifty-six percent of women die within five years.
The average age for a woman to be diagnosed is 63. But doctors told Kristen Miles she had the diseasewhen she was just 17.
Now 34, Kristen’s life is flourishing, thanks in part to a special group at MOCA.
She met her husband, Kevin, with the help of a matchmaker.
“A real-life matchmaker, not online (laughs),” Kristen said.
And that was the beginning of would become her fairy tale. Her nightmare is now 17 years in the past, and it all started with a swollen belly.
“I had an ultrasound that showed a mass, and four days later I was rushed into surgery and that’s where I was diagnosed,” she said.
Miles was the unlucky statistic, being diagnosed with a disease that usually affects women four-times older than she was at the time.
After surgery to remove an ovary and aggressive chemo, she fell into another narrow statistic: women who survive ovarian cancer. But her battle would continue in other ways.
“When dating, I always had in the back of my mind, I have to find someone, if I can’t have kids someday, they have to be OK with that,” Kristen said.
Thankfully, Kevin was.
“Ovarian cancer, I had not heard of before,” Kevin said.
Nor have most people. And that’s what Kristen had come to expect until she heard about the teal-trademarked group MOCA.
“When I moved to the Twin Cities and heard there was an organization just for ovarian cancer, I was so excited, it was people you can relate to,” she said.
And then she found out about the Young Survivor’s Group: women in their teens, twenties and thirties sharing fun events like belly dancing class, speaking at events and representing the cause at health fairs.
“Unique friendships that we otherwise may not have never met, and we’re just good support for each other,” Kristen said.
Together, they share the highs and the lows.
“We are a unique group. We face certain challenges like fertility,” she said. “A lot of survivors go into basically medically-induced menopause.”
It’s a challenge she, and her now-husband, no longer face.
“Because of the intensity of my chemo I had, it was still going to be in question, so we’re pretty excited it worked,” Kristen said.
She’s due in March. While they wait, they’ll continue to volunteer.
“MOCA does some really important stuff that I wasn’t even aware of,” Kevin said.
They don’t yet know the gender, whether it’s blue or pink. But there’s a good chance their baby will wear teal.
“I might make our child volunteer (laughs),” Kristen said.
Click the link to read the full article: http://cbsloc.al/1G0GY0t
This week we’re spotlighting MOCA, the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance as part of our Trees of Hope campaign.
Ovarian cancer occurs in 1 in 71 women. Fifty-six percent of women die within five years.
The average age for a woman to be diagnosed is 63. But doctors told Kristen Miles she had the diseasewhen she was just 17.
Now 34, Kristen’s life is flourishing, thanks in part to a special group at MOCA.
She met her husband, Kevin, with the help of a matchmaker.
“A real-life matchmaker, not online (laughs),” Kristen said.
And that was the beginning of would become her fairy tale. Her nightmare is now 17 years in the past, and it all started with a swollen belly.
“I had an ultrasound that showed a mass, and four days later I was rushed into surgery and that’s where I was diagnosed,” she said.
Miles was the unlucky statistic, being diagnosed with a disease that usually affects women four-times older than she was at the time.
After surgery to remove an ovary and aggressive chemo, she fell into another narrow statistic: women who survive ovarian cancer. But her battle would continue in other ways.
“When dating, I always had in the back of my mind, I have to find someone, if I can’t have kids someday, they have to be OK with that,” Kristen said.
Thankfully, Kevin was.
“Ovarian cancer, I had not heard of before,” Kevin said.
Nor have most people. And that’s what Kristen had come to expect until she heard about the teal-trademarked group MOCA.
“When I moved to the Twin Cities and heard there was an organization just for ovarian cancer, I was so excited, it was people you can relate to,” she said.
And then she found out about the Young Survivor’s Group: women in their teens, twenties and thirties sharing fun events like belly dancing class, speaking at events and representing the cause at health fairs.
“Unique friendships that we otherwise may not have never met, and we’re just good support for each other,” Kristen said.
Together, they share the highs and the lows.
“We are a unique group. We face certain challenges like fertility,” she said. “A lot of survivors go into basically medically-induced menopause.”
It’s a challenge she, and her now-husband, no longer face.
“Because of the intensity of my chemo I had, it was still going to be in question, so we’re pretty excited it worked,” Kristen said.
She’s due in March. While they wait, they’ll continue to volunteer.
“MOCA does some really important stuff that I wasn’t even aware of,” Kevin said.
They don’t yet know the gender, whether it’s blue or pink. But there’s a good chance their baby will wear teal.
“I might make our child volunteer (laughs),” Kristen said.
Click the link to read the full article: http://cbsloc.al/1G0GY0t
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Fighting Ovarian Cancer Head-On
Posted by Anonymous on 8:58 AM
Learn how this small non-profit in Minneapolis is fighting ovarian cancer head-on:
Whether they are breaking a sweat at a fundraiser or all dressed up at a banquet — the color teal always marks an occasion for the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance. And so does a sense of pride.
Eleven-year survivor Erica Dahlin and her family help support the annual walk.
“We need to find a test that can help us know this is what it is – early,” Dahlin said.
Thirteen-year survivor Pam MacDonald started her own spin-off — a spin class.
“I have another granddaughter that’s coming in early February and more than ever I’m going for the cure and early detection,” MacDonald said.
The group came together in 1999. Kathleen Gavin, a public health advocate, was the first full-time staff member.
“I can’t walk away, we’ve lost so many fabulous women and I feel I owe it to them,” Gavin said.
But building a support base with people passionate about ovarian cancer was tricky.
“If 85 percent of them die, then we lose our advocates,” Gavin said. “They’re not there to fight with us any longer. And that’s why we really need the whole community to be involved.”
Unlike breast cancer, there isn’t a way to screen ovarian cancer early. And there aren’t as many survivors to build a large-scale support network.
Although MOCA’s worked with women as young as seven, the average age is 63. And the symptoms of ovarian cancer are quite subtle.
“A lot of women are initially misdiagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome, peri-menopause, stress, midlife weight gain,” Gavin said. “These are all things that mimic ovarian cancer.”
By the time they are properly diagnosed, it’s often stage three or four.
“They’re thrown into this world of confusing cancer treatment. All of a sudden, you know, it’s surgery and really tough chemo, so that’s why MOCA is there,” she said.
The other reason is research. There’s the hope that perhaps a pap smear could one day detect it, or a vaccine could be developed. That’s where they put the vast majority of their budget.
“That is what’s really gonna make a difference in the future, that’s how we’re gonna get an early detection test, that’s how we’re gonna get better treatments and maybe a cure,” Gavin said.
They are a small but mighty group who knows that survival sometimes involves a good fight.
Click the link to read the full article: http://cbsloc.al/1yMAsam
Whether they are breaking a sweat at a fundraiser or all dressed up at a banquet — the color teal always marks an occasion for the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance. And so does a sense of pride.
Eleven-year survivor Erica Dahlin and her family help support the annual walk.
“We need to find a test that can help us know this is what it is – early,” Dahlin said.
Thirteen-year survivor Pam MacDonald started her own spin-off — a spin class.
“I have another granddaughter that’s coming in early February and more than ever I’m going for the cure and early detection,” MacDonald said.
The group came together in 1999. Kathleen Gavin, a public health advocate, was the first full-time staff member.
“I can’t walk away, we’ve lost so many fabulous women and I feel I owe it to them,” Gavin said.
But building a support base with people passionate about ovarian cancer was tricky.
“If 85 percent of them die, then we lose our advocates,” Gavin said. “They’re not there to fight with us any longer. And that’s why we really need the whole community to be involved.”
Unlike breast cancer, there isn’t a way to screen ovarian cancer early. And there aren’t as many survivors to build a large-scale support network.
Although MOCA’s worked with women as young as seven, the average age is 63. And the symptoms of ovarian cancer are quite subtle.
“A lot of women are initially misdiagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome, peri-menopause, stress, midlife weight gain,” Gavin said. “These are all things that mimic ovarian cancer.”
By the time they are properly diagnosed, it’s often stage three or four.
“They’re thrown into this world of confusing cancer treatment. All of a sudden, you know, it’s surgery and really tough chemo, so that’s why MOCA is there,” she said.
The other reason is research. There’s the hope that perhaps a pap smear could one day detect it, or a vaccine could be developed. That’s where they put the vast majority of their budget.
“That is what’s really gonna make a difference in the future, that’s how we’re gonna get an early detection test, that’s how we’re gonna get better treatments and maybe a cure,” Gavin said.
They are a small but mighty group who knows that survival sometimes involves a good fight.
Click the link to read the full article: http://cbsloc.al/1yMAsam
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Fighting Ovarian Cancer Year Round
Posted by Anonymous on 7:59 AM
Learn how the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition is working to fight ovarian cancer all year long:
Read the full article here: http://cour.at/1HEtGsp
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition does not stop raising awareness on ovarian cancer when September, ovarian cancer awareness month, comes to a close. The Connecticut Chapter continues to reach out into the community to educate on the early signs and symptoms in order to increase early detection and survival rates for women year round.
Because there is currently no early detection test for ovarian cancer, raising awareness on the early signs and symptoms is key to saving lives. When detected early, the 5-year survival ate is over 90%. Unfortunately, because the symptoms are so vague, only 14.7% of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in stage 1, when the cancer is confined to the ovaries.
Early warning signs for women to be aware of include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly and feeling the need to urinate urgently or often. Other symptoms may include fatigue, upset stomach or heartburn, back pain, pain during sex, constipation and menstrual changes. If these symptoms are NEW to women and persisting for 2 weeks or more, they may want to consider talking with their doctor about a transvaginal ultrasound, which is the most accurate way to detect ovarian cancer.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer include genetic predisposition, personal or family history of breast, uterine, colon, rectal or ovarian cancers, increasing age, undesired infertility and obesity. It is important for women who fall into theses categories to be proactive in communicating with their physicians.
While the NOCC places emphasis on education, the organization also provides support to newly diagnosed women in hospitals across the nation and invests in new research each year.
With the support of our communities, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition will continue to work tirelessly to prevent and cure ovarian cancer, and to improve the quality of life for survivors.
Read the full article here: http://cour.at/1HEtGsp
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Math Formula Helping Fight Ovarian Cancer
Posted by Anonymous on 10:33 AM
More than truth lies in numbers. A math formula is now helping doctors fight ovarian cancer.
"The approach worked for me," triathlete and ovarian cancer survivor Leslie Russell of Houston says.The new approach determined Leslie Russell needed chemotherapy before surgery. More than a year later, doctors say her prognosis is great.
Houston doctors are employing a new approach against ovarian cancer that dramatically improves the likelihood tumors are completely removed during surgery, the key to beating the deadly disease.
The approach, now being used by all M.D. Anderson gynecologic oncologists treating advanced ovarian cancer, involves an initial laparoscopic procedure to better diagnose the extent of the disease and a mathematical formula that surgeons apply to predict whether the patient should go directly to surgery or receive chemotherapy first.
"This protocol enables us to personalize surgical therapy and be much smarter about its timing," said Dr. Anil Sood, an M.D. Anderson professor of gynecologic oncology and reproductive medicine and the effort's leader. "It results in much more precise surgery, which we think will lower death rates from ovarian cancer."
M.D. Anderson doctors have been treating ovarian cancer patients, about 155 now, with the new protocol since the spring of 2013, when the project was launched as part of the institution's Moon Shots program. The program seeks to improve treatment of eight difficult cancers or cancer groupings.
The team hasn't published any data on the approach because patients need to be tracked longer to determine outcomes. But Sood said the team is successfully removing all visible tumor cells of more than 90 percent of patients who go directly to surgery and 85 percent of those who undergo chemotherapy to reduce the burden of malignant cells prior to surgery. Historically, Sood said, surgery in advanced ovarian patients around the world achieves complete removal of tumor cells no more than 35 percent of the time.
Sood said he anticipates data will eventually show at least a 25 percent improvement in ovarian cancer survival rates.
Click the link to read the full article: http://www.chron.com/news/health/article/Math-formula-helping-fight-ovarian-cancer-5901796.php
"The approach worked for me," triathlete and ovarian cancer survivor Leslie Russell of Houston says.The new approach determined Leslie Russell needed chemotherapy before surgery. More than a year later, doctors say her prognosis is great.
Houston doctors are employing a new approach against ovarian cancer that dramatically improves the likelihood tumors are completely removed during surgery, the key to beating the deadly disease.
The approach, now being used by all M.D. Anderson gynecologic oncologists treating advanced ovarian cancer, involves an initial laparoscopic procedure to better diagnose the extent of the disease and a mathematical formula that surgeons apply to predict whether the patient should go directly to surgery or receive chemotherapy first.
"This protocol enables us to personalize surgical therapy and be much smarter about its timing," said Dr. Anil Sood, an M.D. Anderson professor of gynecologic oncology and reproductive medicine and the effort's leader. "It results in much more precise surgery, which we think will lower death rates from ovarian cancer."
M.D. Anderson doctors have been treating ovarian cancer patients, about 155 now, with the new protocol since the spring of 2013, when the project was launched as part of the institution's Moon Shots program. The program seeks to improve treatment of eight difficult cancers or cancer groupings.
The team hasn't published any data on the approach because patients need to be tracked longer to determine outcomes. But Sood said the team is successfully removing all visible tumor cells of more than 90 percent of patients who go directly to surgery and 85 percent of those who undergo chemotherapy to reduce the burden of malignant cells prior to surgery. Historically, Sood said, surgery in advanced ovarian patients around the world achieves complete removal of tumor cells no more than 35 percent of the time.
Sood said he anticipates data will eventually show at least a 25 percent improvement in ovarian cancer survival rates.
Click the link to read the full article: http://www.chron.com/news/health/article/Math-formula-helping-fight-ovarian-cancer-5901796.php
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Surgery Isn’t Only Option for Women With Ovarian Cancer Genes
Posted by Anonymous on 10:10 AM
If you find out you have the BRCA gene, do not think that surgery is your only option. There are many ways to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Research has found that breast feeding, birth control pills, and having fallopian tubes tied all may help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Learn more in the article below and always remember to talk with your doctor before making any decisions. You can learn more here.
Breast-feeding, birth control pills and having fallopian tubes tied may help reduce ovarian cancer risk in women with BRCA gene mutations, a new review suggests.
Women with BRCA gene mutations are at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers. These findings suggest ways that women with these inherited mutations can reduce their ovarian cancer risk without having their ovaries surgically removed, the University of Pennsylvania researchers said.
“Patients deserve better cancer-risk reduction options than surgically removing their healthy breasts and ovaries,” review co-author Dr. Susan Domchek, executive director of the Basser Research Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, said in a university news release.
Domchek and her colleagues reviewed 44 studies and found that breast-feeding and tubal ligation were associated with lower rates of ovarian cancer in women with a BRCA1 mutation, while the use of birth control pills was associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
The researchers also identified factors that may increase the risk of cancer in women with BRCA mutations. For example, smoking may heighten the risk of breast cancer in women with a BRCA 2 mutation.
The findings are to be published in the June issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
“Our analysis reveals that heredity is not destiny, and that working with their physicians and counselors, women with BRCA mutations can take proactive steps that may reduce their risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer,” lead author Timothy Rebbeck, professor of epidemiology and cancer epidemiology and risk reduction program leader at the Abramson Cancer Center, said in the news release.
“The results of the analysis show that there is already sufficient information indicating how some variables might affect the risk of cancer for these patients,” he added.
About 39 percent of women with a harmful BRCA1 mutation and up to 17 percent of those with a harmful BRCA2 mutation will develop ovarian cancer by age 70, compared with 1.4 percent of women in the general population.
Between 55 percent and 65 percent of women with a harmful BRCA1 mutation and 45 percent of women with a harmful BRCA2 mutation will develop breast cancer by age 70, compared with about 12 percent of women in the general population.
Both BRCA mutations have also been linked with increased risk for several other types of cancer, according to the researchers.
“It’s imperative that we continue examining and building upon past research in this area so that we can provide BRCA mutation carriers with options at every age, and at every stage of their lives,” Domchek noted.
Breast-feeding, birth control pills and having fallopian tubes tied may help reduce ovarian cancer risk in women with BRCA gene mutations, a new review suggests.
Women with BRCA gene mutations are at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers. These findings suggest ways that women with these inherited mutations can reduce their ovarian cancer risk without having their ovaries surgically removed, the University of Pennsylvania researchers said.
“Patients deserve better cancer-risk reduction options than surgically removing their healthy breasts and ovaries,” review co-author Dr. Susan Domchek, executive director of the Basser Research Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, said in a university news release.
Domchek and her colleagues reviewed 44 studies and found that breast-feeding and tubal ligation were associated with lower rates of ovarian cancer in women with a BRCA1 mutation, while the use of birth control pills was associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
The researchers also identified factors that may increase the risk of cancer in women with BRCA mutations. For example, smoking may heighten the risk of breast cancer in women with a BRCA 2 mutation.
The findings are to be published in the June issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
“Our analysis reveals that heredity is not destiny, and that working with their physicians and counselors, women with BRCA mutations can take proactive steps that may reduce their risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer,” lead author Timothy Rebbeck, professor of epidemiology and cancer epidemiology and risk reduction program leader at the Abramson Cancer Center, said in the news release.
“The results of the analysis show that there is already sufficient information indicating how some variables might affect the risk of cancer for these patients,” he added.
About 39 percent of women with a harmful BRCA1 mutation and up to 17 percent of those with a harmful BRCA2 mutation will develop ovarian cancer by age 70, compared with 1.4 percent of women in the general population.
Between 55 percent and 65 percent of women with a harmful BRCA1 mutation and 45 percent of women with a harmful BRCA2 mutation will develop breast cancer by age 70, compared with about 12 percent of women in the general population.
Both BRCA mutations have also been linked with increased risk for several other types of cancer, according to the researchers.
“It’s imperative that we continue examining and building upon past research in this area so that we can provide BRCA mutation carriers with options at every age, and at every stage of their lives,” Domchek noted.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Diet May Influence Ovarian Cancer Outcome
Posted by Anonymous on 8:34 AM
This article from Reuters shows that the quality of diet may actually affect a woman's chance of ovarian cancer survival. Keep reading to learn more:
Women with healthier diets before an ovarian cancer diagnosis are less likely to die in the years following the cancer than women with poorer diets, according to a new study.
The exceptions were women with diabetes or a high waist circumference, which is often linked to diabetes.
A healthy diet before diagnosis may indicate a stronger immune system and, indirectly, the capacity to respond favorably to cancer therapy, said lead author Cynthia A. Thomson of Health Promotion Sciences at the Canyon Ranch Center for Prevention and Health Promotion at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
“It also may reflect our capacity to sustain healthy eating after diagnosis, which in turn could support better health in a broader sense,” Thomson told Reuters Health by email.
Researchers looked back at 636 cases of ovarian cancer occurring between 1993 and 1998, 90 percent of which were invasive cancers.
The women had filled out dietary and physical activity questionnaires at least one year before their cancer diagnoses as part of the larger Women’s Health Initiative study. Researchers measured their heights, weights and waist circumferences.
The healthy eating index in this study measured 10 dietary components, scoring diets with a higher amount of vegetables and fruit, more variety in vegetables and fruit, more whole grains, lower amounts of fat and alcohol and more fiber as healthier than other diets.
On average, the women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer around age 63.
As of September 17, 2012, 354 of the women had died, and 305 of those died specifically from ovarian cancer.
When the researchers divided the women into three groups based on their diet quality, those in the healthiest-eating group were 27 percent less likely to die of any cause after ovarian cancer diagnosis than those in the poorest diet group, according to the results published in JNCI, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Read the full article from Reuters here: http://reut.rs/1t8rrIP
Women with healthier diets before an ovarian cancer diagnosis are less likely to die in the years following the cancer than women with poorer diets, according to a new study.
The exceptions were women with diabetes or a high waist circumference, which is often linked to diabetes.
A healthy diet before diagnosis may indicate a stronger immune system and, indirectly, the capacity to respond favorably to cancer therapy, said lead author Cynthia A. Thomson of Health Promotion Sciences at the Canyon Ranch Center for Prevention and Health Promotion at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
“It also may reflect our capacity to sustain healthy eating after diagnosis, which in turn could support better health in a broader sense,” Thomson told Reuters Health by email.
Researchers looked back at 636 cases of ovarian cancer occurring between 1993 and 1998, 90 percent of which were invasive cancers.
The women had filled out dietary and physical activity questionnaires at least one year before their cancer diagnoses as part of the larger Women’s Health Initiative study. Researchers measured their heights, weights and waist circumferences.
The healthy eating index in this study measured 10 dietary components, scoring diets with a higher amount of vegetables and fruit, more variety in vegetables and fruit, more whole grains, lower amounts of fat and alcohol and more fiber as healthier than other diets.
On average, the women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer around age 63.
As of September 17, 2012, 354 of the women had died, and 305 of those died specifically from ovarian cancer.
When the researchers divided the women into three groups based on their diet quality, those in the healthiest-eating group were 27 percent less likely to die of any cause after ovarian cancer diagnosis than those in the poorest diet group, according to the results published in JNCI, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Read the full article from Reuters here: http://reut.rs/1t8rrIP
