Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

LIVE: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)
Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Cancer Causes & Control
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 12/2010

01-12-2010 | Original paper

Australian women’s awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms, risk and protective factors, and estimates of own risk

Authors: Sandra C. Jones, Christopher A. Magee, Jane Francis, Karen Luxford, Parri Gregory, Helen Zorbas, Donald C. Iverson

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 12/2010

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective

To examine Australian women’s perceived risk of ovarian cancer, reasons for perceived risk levels, and knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms at two timepoints (2003 and 2007).

Methods

A computer-assisted telephone (CATI) survey of 2,954 Australian women with no history of ovarian cancer was conducted.

Results

Approximately 60% of women perceived their risk of ovarian cancer was similar to other women of their age; 10% indicated an increased risk, and 30% indicated a lower risk. These figures were similar in 2003 and 2007. Logistic regression found that lower income, increased age, being born overseas, and being retired were significantly associated with lower perceived risk (accounted for only 7.5% of the variance). Common reasons for higher perceived risk included family history of ovarian/other cancers, increasing age, and having had other types of cancer or health problems. Reasons for lower than average risk included absence of family history, having a hysterectomy, and having regular Pap smears (indicating confusion between ovarian and cervical cancer). There appeared to be substantial confusion in women’s understanding of ovarian cancer symptoms; this was similar in 2003 and 2007.

Conclusion

The observed misperceptions and confusion regarding ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors suggest ongoing public education campaigns are needed to improve knowledge and awareness.
Literature
1.
Ries L, Eisner M, Kosary C, Hankey BF, Miller BA, Clegg L, Mariotto A, Feuer EJ, Edwards BK (2005) SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2002. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda
2.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (2010) Ovarian cancer in Australia: an overview, 2010. Cancer series no. 52. Canberra: AIHW
3.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & National Breast Cancer Centre (2006) Ovarian cancer in Australia: an overview, Cancer series no. 35. Canberra: AIHW
4.
Kurian AW, Balise RR, McGuire V, Whittemore AS (2005) Histologic types of epithelial ovarian cancer: have they different risk factors? Gynecol Oncol 96(2):520–530CrossRefPubMed
5.
Nagle CM, Olsen CM, Webb PM, Jordan SJ, Whiteman DC, Green AC (2008) Endometrioid and clear cell ovarian cancers: a comparative analysis of risk factors. Eur J Cancer 44(16):2477–2484CrossRefPubMed
6.
Collaborative Group on Epidemiological Studies of Ovarian Cancer, Beral V, Doll R, Hermon C, Peto R, Reeves G (2008) Ovarian cancer and oral contraceptives: collaborative reanalysis of data from 45 epidemiological studies including 23,257 women with ovarian cancer and 87,303 control. Lancet 371(9609):303–314
7.
Jordan SJ, Whiteman DC, Purdie DM, Green AC, Webb PM (2006) Does smoking increase the risk of ovarian cancer? a systematic review. Gynecol Oncol 103(3):1122–1129CrossRefPubMed
8.
Tworoger S, Gertig DM, Gates MA, Hecht J, Hankinson S (2008) Caffeine, alcohol, smoking and the risk of incident epithelial ovarian cancer. Cancer 112(5):1169–1177CrossRefPubMed
9.
Risch HA, McLaughlin JR, Cole DE, Rosen B, Bradley L, Fan I, Tang J, Li S, Zhang S, Shaw PA, Narod SA (2006) Population BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation frequencies and cancer penetrances: a kin-cohort study in Ontario, Canada. J Natl Cancer Inst 98(23):1694–1706CrossRefPubMed
10.
Gertig D, Hunter D (2002) Ovarian cancer. In: Adami HO, Hunter D, Trichopoulos D (eds) Textbook of cancer epidemiology. Oxford University Press, New York
11.
National Cancer Institute (2007) Ovarian cancer (PDQ®) Professional version. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda
12.
Mogugno F, Ness RB, Wheeler JE (2001) Reproductive risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer according to histologic type and invasiveness. Ann Epidemiol 11:568–574CrossRef
13.
Hankinson SE, Colditz GA, Hunter DJ, Willett WC, Stampfer MI, Rosner B, Hennekens CH, Speizer FE (1995) A prospective study of reproductive factors and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. Cancer 76:284–290CrossRefPubMed
14.
Whittemore AS, Harris R, Itnyre J (1992) Characteristics relating to ovarian cancer risk: collaborative analysis of 12 US case-control studies. II. Invasive epithelial ovarian cancers in white women. Collaborative Ovarian Cancer Group. Am J Epidemiol 136(10):1184–1203PubMed
15.
Kjaer SK, Mellemkjaer L, Brinton LA, Johansen C, Gridley G, Olsen JH (2004) Tubal sterilization and risk of ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer. A Danish population-based follow up study of more than 65,000 sterilized women. Int J Epidemiol 33:596–602CrossRefPubMed
16.
Danforth KN, Tworoger SS, Hecht JL, Rosner BA, Colditz GA, Hankinson SE (2007) Breastfeeding and risk of ovarian cancer in two prospective cohorts. Cancer Causes Control 18(5):517–523CrossRefPubMed
17.
Zhou B, Sun Q, Cong R, Gu H, Tang N, Yang L, Wang B (2008) Hormone replacement therapy and ovarian cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Gynecol Oncol 108(3):641–651CrossRefPubMed
18.
Olsen CM, Nagle CM, Whiteman DC, Purdie DM, Green AC, Webb PM (2008) Body size and risk of epithelial ovarian and related cancers: a population-based case-control study. Int J Cancer 123(2):450–456CrossRefPubMed
19.
Kotsopoulos J, Vitonis AF, Terry KL, De Vivo I, Cramer DW, Hankinson SE, Tworoger SS (2009) Coffee intake, variants in genes involved in caffeine metabolism, and the risk of ovarian cancer. Cancer Causes Control 20(3):335–344CrossRefPubMed
20.
Lueth NA, Anderson KE, Harnack LJ, Fulkerson JA, Robien K (2008) Coffee and caffeine intake and the risk of ovarian cancer: the Iowa Women’s Health Study. Cancer Causes Control 19(10):1365–1372CrossRefPubMed
21.
Olsen CM, Bain CJ, Jordan SJ, Nagle CM, Green AC, Whiteman DC, Webb PM (2007) Recreational activity and epithelial ovarian cancer: a case-control study, systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 16(11):2321–2330CrossRefPubMed
22.
Kolahdooz F, Ibiebele TI, van der Pols JC, Webb PM (2009) Dietary patterns and ovarian cancer risk. Am J Clin Nutr 89(1):297–304CrossRefPubMed
23.
24.
25.
Mellon S, Berry-Bobovski L, Gold R, Levin N, Tainsky MR (2006) Communication and decision-making about seeking inherited cancer risk information: findings from female survivor-relative focus groups. Psychooncology 15:193–208CrossRefPubMed
26.
Hughes C, Gomez-Caminero A, Benkendorf J, Kerner J, Isaacs C, Barter J, Lerman C (1997) Ethnic differences in knowledge and attitudes about BRCA1 testing in women at increased risk. Patient Educ Couns 32:51–62CrossRefPubMed
27.
Kinney AY, Croyle RT, Dudley WN, Bailey CA, Pelias M, Neuhausen SL (2001) Knowledge, attitudes, and interest in breast-ovarian cancer gene testing: a survey of a large African–American kindred with a BRCA1 mutation. Prev Med 33:543–551CrossRefPubMed
28.
Hallowell N, Statham H, Murton F (1998) Women’s understanding of their risk of developing breast/ovarian cancer before and after genetic counseling. J Genet Couns 7:345–364CrossRef
29.
Brain K, Gravell C, France E, Fiander A, Gray J (2004) An exploratory qualitative study of women’s perceptions of risk management options for familial ovarian cancer: implications for informed decision making. Gynecol Oncol 92:905–913CrossRefPubMed
30.
Meiser B, Butow P, Barratt A, Friedlander M, Gattas M, Kirk JA, Suthers G, Walpole I, Tucker K (1999) Attitudes toward prophylactic oophorectomy and screening utilization in women at increased risk of developing hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 75:122–129CrossRefPubMed
31.
Tiller K, Meiser B, Gould L, Tucker K, Dudding TE, Franklin J, Friedlander M, Andrews L (2005) Knowledge of risk management strategies, and information and risk management preferences of women at increased risk for ovarian cancer. Psychooncology 14:249–261CrossRefPubMed
32.
Hensley ML, Robson ME, Kauff ND, Korytowsky B, Castiel M, Ostroff J, Hurley K, Hann LE, Colon J, Spriggs D (2003) Pre- and postmenopausal high-risk women undergoing screening for ovarian cancer: anxiety, risk perceptions, and quality of life. Gynecol Oncol 89:440–446CrossRefPubMed
33.
Schwartz MD, Lerman C (1995) Coping disposition, perceived risk, and psychological distress among women at increased risk for ovarian cancer. Health Psychol 14:232–235CrossRefPubMed
34.
Parker PA, Kudelka A, Basen-Engquist K, Kavanagh J, de Moor J, Cohen L (2006) The associations between knowledge, CA125 preoccupation, and distress in women with epithelial ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 100:495–500CrossRefPubMed
35.
Ferrell BR, Smith SL, Ervin KS, Itano J, Melancon C (2003) A qualitative analysis of social concerns of women with ovarian cancer. Psychooncology 12:647–663CrossRefPubMed
36.
Elit L, Charles C, Gold I, Gafni A, Farrell S, Tedford S, Dal Bello D, Whelan T (2003) Women’s perceptions about treatment decision making for ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 88:89–95CrossRefPubMed
37.
National Ovarian Cancer Association (2006) Media release: new study reveals Canadian women wrongly believe there is a test for ovarian cancer. National Ovarian Cancer Association, Toronto
38.
39.
National Breast Cancer Centre (2007) Media release: survey reveals Australian women are getting the facts wrong on ovarian cancer. National Breast Cancer Centre, Sydney
40.
Barratt A, Cockburn J, Lowe J, Paul C, Perkins J, Redman S (1997) Report on the 1996 Breast Health Survey. Sydney: National Breast Cancer Centre
41.
Paul C, Barratt A, Redman S, Cockburn J, Lowe J (1999) Knowledge and perceptions about breast cancer incidence, fatality and risk among Australian women. Aust NZ J Public Health 23:396–400CrossRef
42.
Villanueva E, Jones SC, Nehill C, Favelle S, Steel D, Iverson D, Zorbas H (2008) The 2003 Australian Breast Health Survey: survey design and preliminary results. BMC Public Health 8:8–13CrossRef
43.
Lavrakas PJ, Stasny EA, Harpuder B (2000) A further investigation of the last-birthdate respondent selection method and within-unit coverage error. In: Proceedings of the American statistical association. Alexandria
44.
National Breast Cancer Centre (2006) Advice about familial aspects of breast cancer and epithelial ovarian cancer: a guide for health professionals. National Breast Cancer Centre, Sydney
45.
Cull A, Fry A, Rush R, Steel CM (2001) Cancer risk perceptions and distress among women attending a familial ovarian cancer clinic. Br J Cancer 84(5):594–599CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Australian women’s awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms, risk and protective factors, and estimates of own risk
Authors
Sandra C. Jones
Christopher A. Magee
Jane Francis
Karen Luxford
Parri Gregory
Helen Zorbas
Donald C. Iverson
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 12/2010
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-010-9643-1

Other articles of this Issue 12/2010

Cancer Causes & Control 12/2010 Go to the issue

Original paper

Alcohol consumption and mortality from all-cause and cancers among 1.34 million Koreans: the results from the Korea national health insurance corporation’s health examinee cohort in 2000

Original paper

Glycemic index, glycemic load, and the risk of pancreatic cancer among postmenopausal women in the women’s health initiative observational study and clinical trial

Original paper

Body size and the risk of ovarian cancer by hormone therapy use in the California Teachers Study cohort

Original paper

Iron intake and markers of iron status and risk of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Original paper

Research and comprehensive cancer control coalitions

Original paper

The CCC National Partnership: an example of organizations collaborating on comprehensive cancer control
Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Watch now

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras
Prof. Fabrice Barlesi
Developed by: Springer Medicine
Image Credits