Skip to content
Donate

Search Results for brca

What is my Personal Risk of Ovarian Cancer?

All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, with 1 in 87 developing the disease in her lifetime. Some women, however, have personal or familial factors which further increase risk. Knowing whether these other factors are present allows you and your doctor to determine the ovarian cancer risk-reduction approach best suited for you. Make sure to read all four levels carefully to determine your personal risk…

DNA Repair Pathways as Target for Therapy-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Mutations in the DNA repair gene Brca1 and Brca2 that are passed along from parents to their children are a major cause of ovarian cancers in families. The Brca1 and Brca2 mutation can also be seen in in non-familial ovarian cancer (BRCA-ness phenotype). One way to fight ovarian cancer is to use PARP inhibitors so that ovarian cancer cells are killed when DNA repair defect occurs in BRCA-ness ovarian cancer…

Dr. Sarah Adams headshot

Sarah Adams, MD

Dr. Sarah Adams joined the faculty of the University of New Mexico Cancer Center in 2102, where she is an Assistant Professor, and the Victor and Ruby Hansen Surface Professor in Ovarian Cancer Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to her recruitment to the University of New Mexico, she spent several years at the University of Pennsylvania…

Beth Y. Karlan, MD

Vice Chair, Women’s Health ResearchProfessor, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyDirector, Cancer Population GeneticsJonsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Beth Y. Karlan, MD is Professor and Vice Chair of Women’s Health Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)…

Ronny I. Drapkin, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pathology Director, Ovarian Cancer Research Center University of Pennsylvania Director, Gynecologic Research Basser Research Center for BRCA Ronny Drapkin, M.D., Ph.D. recently joined the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania as Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pathology and Director of Penn Medicine’s Ovarian Cancer Research Center. He also joined the Leadership Team of the Basser Research Center for BRCA as Director of Gynecological Research…

Ovarian Cancer Dream Team

OCRA has teamed up with Stand Up To Cancer and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) to fund an Ovarian Cancer “Dream Team,” which is conducting a large-scale research project to help change the future of ovarian cancer. The project is being spearheaded by Alan D’Andrea, MD (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) and Elizabeth Swisher, MD (University of Washington)…

Glossary of Terms

Abdomen: The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. Acupuncture: The technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms. Adjuvant therapy: Additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment to lower the risk that the disease will come back…

Causes and Risk Factors

What causes ovarian cancer? The causes of ovarian cancer are still unknown. Genetic changes that may occur during one’s life, known as acquired (somatic) gene mutations A person can be born with inherited gene mutations (hereditary gene mutations also known as germline mutations) How can you reduce the risk of ovarian cancer? Being pregnant and taking birth control pills can lower risk of ovarian cancer…

person holding abdomen

Signs and Symptoms

Common symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, pelvic pain, feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms. Learn more about ovarian cancer and its symptoms below. Common Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer Ovarian cancer does have symptoms, but they are often very subtle and easily mistaken for other, more common problems.  In some rare cases, early stage ovarian cancers may produce symptoms…

woman doctor consultation

Genetic Mutations in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a classification of several different types and subtypes of cancer that are found in the ovaries, some of which are considered hereditary. Though anyone with ovaries can develop ovarian cancer, there are certain risk factors that can make getting the disease more likely. One of the biggest known risk factors for ovarian cancer is the presence of specific genetic mutations that can be passed down from a mother or father. …

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some of the most common questions around ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. For more help demystifying medical terms, visit our glossary. Ovarian cancer does have symptoms, but they are often very subtle and easily mistaken for other, more common problems.  In some rare cases, early stage ovarian cancers may produce symptoms, but in the majority of women these don’t show up until the cancer has advanced (when the growth of the tumor triggers symptoms)…

Impact of Genetic Counseling on Testing and Surgical Prevention in High Risk Women

(Aug 1. 2016) Results of a study reported last month in Cancer show that routine referral of women at high risk for ovarian cancer to genetic counseling promotes genetic testing and prophylactic surgery. Guidelines recommend genetic counseling and testing for women who have a pedigree suggestive of an inherited susceptibility for ovarian cancer (for example…