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Articles in Greenhaven Press anthologies are often edited for length to meet page requirements. In addition, original titles of these works are changed to clearly present the main thesis and to explicitly indicate the author's opinion. Every effort is made to ensure that Greenhaven Press accurately reflects the original intent of the authors. Every effort has been made to trace the owners of copyrighted material.
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Ovarian cancer / Christina Fisanick, book editor. p. cm. -- (Perspectives on diseases and disorders)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-7377-5781-1 (hardcover)
1. Ovaries--Cancer. I. Fisanick, Christina.
RC280.O8O86 2012 616.99'465--dc23
2012012539
Printed in the United States of America
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 16 15 14 13 12
Contents
Christopher Dolinsky and Carolyn Vachani Because it is difficult to diagnose, ovarian cancer is often not discovered until it is in advanced stages. Various methods are used to treat ovarian cancer and largely depend on the type or severity of the disease. Christian Nordqvist Although the exact causes of ovarian cancer remain difficult to assess, researchers know that certain genes, syndromes, and lifestyle choices make women more likely to develop the disease. Jeffrey L. Stern Treatment of ovarian cancer depends upon the type of cancer present and the stage of the disease. Typing and staging are often determined during surgery. Ovarian Cancer National Alliance The type of treatment used to eradicate ovarian cancer determines the side effects, which can range from nausea to hair loss to nerve problems. Followup care is essential for monitoring for recurrence of the disease and the patients overall health. |
Penelope M. Webb A large 2009 study showed no increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who take ovulation-inducing drugs for infertility. Nicole Fawcett Although it has been assumed by some researchers that the symptoms of ovarian cancer are not helpful in detecting the disease, recent evidence demonstrates that symptoms do exist and that recognizing them early enough can save lives. Ilana Cass and Beth Y. Karlan Although doctors urge their patients to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of ovarian cancer, a new study shows that by the time these symptoms are noticed, the disease has already advanced. Nick Mulcahy In patients with advanced ovarian cancer, chemotherapy before surgery improves survival rates. Kathleen Doheny Women who use hormone therapy for the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms are at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer. Addison Greenwood An analysis of forty-five studies found that oral contraceptives containing estrogen can reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. |
Jane Kelly After being given a clean bill of health from stage IV ovarian cancer, which has grim survival statistics, a London-based writer lives in fear of the cancer returning. Holly Miller A survivor of ovarian cancer encourages women to pay close attention to their bodies and to see their doctors if they notice any changes. Missy Light Dougherty A young mother describes how her determination to preserve her fertility while undergoing ovarian cancer treatment paid off. Mia Aimaro Ogden Thinking she had eaten too much on vacation, a woman is surprised to learn that her swollen abdomen was due to an aggressive form of stage I ovarian cancer. |
FOREWORD
Medicine, to produce health, has to examine disease.
Plutarch
I ndependent research on a health issue is often the first step to complement discussions with a physician. But locating accurate, well-organized, understandable medical information can be a challenge. A simple Internet search on terms such as cancer or diabetes, for example, returns an intimidating number of results. Sifting through the results can be daunting, particularly when some of the information is inconsistent or even contradictory. The Green-haven Press series Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders offers a solution to the often overwhelming nature of researching diseases and disorders.
From the clinical to the personal, titles in the Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders series provide students and other researchers with authoritative, accessible information in unique anthologies that include basic information about the disease or disorder, controversial aspects of diagnosis and treatment, and first-person accounts of those impacted by the disease. The result is a well-rounded combination of primary and secondary sources that, together, provide the reader with a better understanding of the disease or disorder.
Each volume in Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders explores a particular disease or disorder in detail. Material for each volume is carefully selected from a wide range of sources, including encyclopedias, journals, newspapers, nonfiction books, speeches, government documents, pamphlets, organization newsletters, and position papers. Articles in the first chapter provide an authoritative, up-to-date overview that covers symptoms, causes and effects, treatments, cures, and medical advances. The second chapter presents a substantial number of opposing viewpoints on controversial treatments and other current debates relating to the volume topic. The third chapter offers a variety of personal perspectives on the disease or disorder. Patients, doctors, caregivers, and loved ones represent just some of the voices found in this narrative chapter.
Each Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders volume also includes:
- An annotated table of contents that provides a brief summary of each article in the volume.
- An introduction specific to the volume topic.
- Full-color charts and graphs to illustrate key points, concepts, and theories.
- Full-color photos