By Sandra Ray, Staff Writer
Dizon leads several clinical trials, each in
different areas since there are many fruitful
avenues for medical exploration in ovarian cancer.
Some of these areas include immunotherapy or ways to
use the immune system to combat and treat ovarian
cancer; quality of life studies for women who are
completing treatment; and novel therapeutics for
early detection of ovarian cancer. Dizon says, “When
ovarian cancer reaches the abdomen, something about
the environment there allows it to spread quickly to
other parts of the body. Research studies are
looking at the effectiveness of applying
chemotherapy directly to the abdomen as a method of
treatment.” These are only some of the reasons that
Dizon recommends that even healthy women get
involved in clinical trials.
As far as prevention and early treatment, Dizon
notes that there are several trials out there aimed
at blood profiling that will hopefully give doctors
useful tools for finding ovarian cancer at even
earlier stages. Dizon also notes with irony that one
of the best methods for preventing ovarian cancer
could put women at increased risk for developing
breast cancer later. “Without removing the ovaries –
one of the only ways known to almost fully prevent
ovarian cancer – birth control pills remain one of
the best ways to reduce a woman’s risk of developing
ovarian cancer. Still, women must weigh the
increased risk of breast cancer if they choose this
mechanism of prevention.”
Ovarian cancer can and does recur. For this
reason, five year survival rates are lower than
researchers like when managing a deadly disease. The
cancer may not all be removed during the first
treatment and could have spread undetected to other
areas of the body. Another reason many doctors
advocate participation in clinical trials is the
possibility of recurrence. Women and caregivers need
to be prepared for this possibility when first
beginning to look at treatment options and follow-up
care.
Caregiver Role:
Caregivers play an important role in the
treatment of ovarian cancer. While it may be
difficult to discuss, it is important to maintain
open lines of communication with family, friends,
and others who may be supportive during this time.
In addition, caregivers can help relay information
to physicians that may seem insignificant to the
patient, yet could give important details about what
is happening at home as a result of treatment.
Caregivers can help fill the following roles in
the treatment team:
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