Is a yearly pelvic ultrasound sufficient to protect against uterine/ ovarian cancer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious why you think ovarian and uterine cancers are “quite common”? That wasn’t my understanding at all, and doing a quick google search says both of these are rare. Do you mean you’re at a higher risk because of the other cancer you had? Not trying to be difficult here, just trying to understand where you’re getting your stats from.

??
Ovarian cancer alone is 5th most common cancer

Not to mention, by the time you have real symptoms for most people you are already stage 3/4. Many doctors write off those symptoms as typical "female issues". Ultrasound yearly is a decent way to find any issues earlier than normal.

Why do you say this? What data do you have that suggests a yearly ultrasound improves outcomes?

Not PP but you do realize ovarian cancer is not a 100% death outcome? How can a yearly ultrasound not improve any chance of catching a mass earlier as compared to no ultrasound ever?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL just died from uterine cancer. Her pap smears were negative btw. The best prevention is a hysterectomy. I imagine an ultrasound may pick up nodules/masses. MIL regularly had her CA125 blood level tested after diagnosis. I guess this kind of test might be helpful too.

May I ask what her symptoms were?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious why you think ovarian and uterine cancers are “quite common”? That wasn’t my understanding at all, and doing a quick google search says both of these are rare. Do you mean you’re at a higher risk because of the other cancer you had? Not trying to be difficult here, just trying to understand where you’re getting your stats from.

??
Ovarian cancer alone is 5th most common cancer

Not to mention, by the time you have real symptoms for most people you are already stage 3/4. Many doctors write off those symptoms as typical "female issues". Ultrasound yearly is a decent way to find any issues earlier than normal.

Why do you say this? What data do you have that suggests a yearly ultrasound improves outcomes?

Not PP but you do realize ovarian cancer is not a 100% death outcome? How can a yearly ultrasound not improve any chance of catching a mass earlier as compared to no ultrasound ever?

The logical end for this train of thought is that we should all be having full-body scans for every possible malady as frequently as possible. It has been studied, and 1) this way lies madness and 2) it does not improve health outcomes. So regardless of whether you FEEL that it's true, all evidence suggests otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious why you think ovarian and uterine cancers are “quite common”? That wasn’t my understanding at all, and doing a quick google search says both of these are rare. Do you mean you’re at a higher risk because of the other cancer you had? Not trying to be difficult here, just trying to understand where you’re getting your stats from.

??
Ovarian cancer alone is 5th most common cancer

Not to mention, by the time you have real symptoms for most people you are already stage 3/4. Many doctors write off those symptoms as typical "female issues". Ultrasound yearly is a decent way to find any issues earlier than normal.

Why do you say this? What data do you have that suggests a yearly ultrasound improves outcomes?

Not PP but you do realize ovarian cancer is not a 100% death outcome? How can a yearly ultrasound not improve any chance of catching a mass earlier as compared to no ultrasound ever?

From Up to Date:
●Some studies of CA 125 and pelvic ultrasound have found more cancers at an early, more treatable stage, while others have not. No published studies have shown that these tests reduce the risk of dying of ovarian cancer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had this discussion recently with my OB/GYN. The answer is no, this is not an evidence-based approach to screening for cancer. Doctors order it because patients ask. It’s probably not harmful either, there aren’t too many incidental findings that are gonna be picked up using this imaging so the worst case scenario is so ovarian cyst shows up or some thing and they do a repeat screening in six months to make sure it goes away. So kind of no harm, no foul.

Agree but also agree with the other PP that it is actually CAN be harmful; it leads to false positives, unnecessary biopsies, and a lot of anxiety. The follow up testing/procedures have their own risks too.

OP getting yearly ultrasounds isn’t indicated and I’m surprised your Dr is even ordering them without an actual indication or reason. Are you paying out of pocket for this? I would stop them. I don’t think this will prevent your from getting cancer and it really can lead to more harm than good

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious why you think ovarian and uterine cancers are “quite common”? That wasn’t my understanding at all, and doing a quick google search says both of these are rare. Do you mean you’re at a higher risk because of the other cancer you had? Not trying to be difficult here, just trying to understand where you’re getting your stats from.

??
Ovarian cancer alone is 5th most common cancer

Not to mention, by the time you have real symptoms for most people you are already stage 3/4. Many doctors write off those symptoms as typical "female issues". Ultrasound yearly is a decent way to find any issues earlier than normal.

Why do you say this? What data do you have that suggests a yearly ultrasound improves outcomes?

Not PP but you do realize ovarian cancer is not a 100% death outcome? How can a yearly ultrasound not improve any chance of catching a mass earlier as compared to no ultrasound ever?

The data isn’t there, even for high-risk patients. Small lesions on the ovary are not easily seen on an ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

I may be an outlier, but my doctor does a pelvic is every year. I am 38 and never did fertility treatments nor do I have PCOS. I don’t find it too uncomfortable and thought it was standard. He looks at ovaries and uterus. Always comments on how uterus looks good and ovaries are smaller than normal. We also do yearly Pap smear and breast exam…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I may be an outlier, but my doctor does a pelvic is every year. I am 38 and never did fertility treatments nor do I have PCOS. I don’t find it too uncomfortable and thought it was standard. He looks at ovaries and uterus. Always comments on how uterus looks good and ovaries are smaller than normal. We also do yearly Pap smear and breast exam…

I would find a new doctor, what your doctor is doing isn't supported by the evidence. That would concern me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I may be an outlier, but my doctor does a pelvic is every year. I am 38 and never did fertility treatments nor do I have PCOS. I don’t find it too uncomfortable and thought it was standard. He looks at ovaries and uterus. Always comments on how uterus looks good and ovaries are smaller than normal. We also do yearly Pap smear and breast exam…

This is weird and none of it is evidence based except the breast exam. I’m surprised your insurance will cover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I may be an outlier, but my doctor does a pelvic is every year. I am 38 and never did fertility treatments nor do I have PCOS. I don’t find it too uncomfortable and thought it was standard. He looks at ovaries and uterus. Always comments on how uterus looks good and ovaries are smaller than normal. We also do yearly Pap smear and breast exam…

This is weird and none of it is evidence based except the breast exam. I’m surprised your insurance will cover.

Yes, it covers it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I may be an outlier, but my doctor does a pelvic is every year. I am 38 and never did fertility treatments nor do I have PCOS. I don’t find it too uncomfortable and thought it was standard. He looks at ovaries and uterus. Always comments on how uterus looks good and ovaries are smaller than normal. We also do yearly Pap smear and breast exam…

I would find a new doctor, what your doctor is doing isn't supported by the evidence. That would concern me.

I am quite happy with him. He is an IVF specialist, but I never needed his help since I conceived all my kids easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I may be an outlier, but my doctor does a pelvic is every year. I am 38 and never did fertility treatments nor do I have PCOS. I don’t find it too uncomfortable and thought it was standard. He looks at ovaries and uterus. Always comments on how uterus looks good and ovaries are smaller than normal. We also do yearly Pap smear and breast exam…

I would find a new doctor, what your doctor is doing isn't supported by the evidence. That would concern me.

I am quite happy with him. He is an IVF specialist, but I never needed his help since I conceived all my kids easily.

How exactly did you end up seeing an IVF specialist if you had no difficulty TTC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s also removing the Fallopian tubes to reduce ovarian cancer risk. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/salpingectomy

I asked about this since I have PCOS and history of complex cysts, I worry about ovarian cancer. my OB was supportive about tubal removal, I asked to have it done during my last birth (planned C). Insurance wouldn’t pay for it at the same time as a C-section bc of unspecified risks but would pay if I went back separately. So that is kind of disappointing.

Anyone out here had a salpingectomy for preventative reasons?

My SIL is BRCA positive and had her tubes removed preventatively in addition to a mastectomy. But then a few years later she had her ovaries out as well. I’m not close with her so I don’t know the reason why it was spaced out like that.

Having your ovaries removed throws you into menopause and can lead to other health issues.

- had my ovaries removed at 38

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I may be an outlier, but my doctor does a pelvic is every year. I am 38 and never did fertility treatments nor do I have PCOS. I don’t find it too uncomfortable and thought it was standard. He looks at ovaries and uterus. Always comments on how uterus looks good and ovaries are smaller than normal. We also do yearly Pap smear and breast exam…

I would find a new doctor, what your doctor is doing isn't supported by the evidence. That would concern me.

I am quite happy with him. He is an IVF specialist, but I never needed his help since I conceived all my kids easily.

How exactly did you end up seeing an IVF specialist if you had no difficulty TTC?

He was the first doctor I called when I moved to DC that was taking new patients. I was 24 and unmarried so trying to conceive was not something I was considering.

[Anonymous]

I’m trying to decide if I should do a hysterectomy. So hard.