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Health Matters: Providence San Fernando Valley | 7 D iana Cholakian Pearre, MD, is a gynecologic oncologist at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center's Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center in Burbank. We spoke to Dr. Pearre about the risk factors for ovarian cancer and what you can do to keep an eye on your ovarian health. Am I at risk for ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer affects approximately 1 in 80 women in the U.S. While it typically affects postmenopausal women age 60 or older, ovarian cancer can occur at any age. You may be at high risk of developing ovarian cancer if you have a family history of the condition. "Certain genetic mutations, such as the mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, can increase your likelihood of getting breast cancer and ovarian cancer," says Dr. Pearre. "We encourage genetic testing for patients who have a strong family history of ovarian cancer, such as a mother or sister with the condition." Genetic screening tests may be covered by insurance or, if not, have a reasonable out-of-pocket cost. Testing can help you take steps to reduce your risk for ovarian cancer. You may also be at increased risk for ovarian cancer if you have never been pregnant, are overweight or obese, or have an inherited predisposition such as familial cancer syndrome. How can I reduce my ovarian cancer risk? You can take steps to reduce your risk for the disease. Dr. Pearre recommends seeing an OB-GYN each year for pelvic exams and talking to your doctor about your concerns. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) can help reduce your risk for ovarian cancer by reducing how often your ovaries release an egg (ovulate). You might also talk to your doctor about having your fallopian tubes removed if you are having any pelvic surgery, such as a hysterectomy. Research has shown that removing your fallopian tubes can reduce your risk for ovarian cancer by 50% without causing other side effects. What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancers are typically silent, without symptoms. In later stages, signs of ovarian cancer may include: • bloating • unintentional weight loss • abnormal bleeding • pain during intercourse • a feeling of having a swollen belly • pelvic or abdominal pain • nausea • vomiting • a change in bowel habits, such as new constipation or diarrhea • feeling like you need to pee often Many women have these symptoms for other reasons. You should always talk to your doctor about new symptoms or problems you are experiencing. How is ovarian cancer diagnosed? Ovarian cancer is diagnosed with a biopsy; however, your doctor may initiate a workup that includes ordering blood tests or imaging tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan. What does ovarian cancer treatment include? "Even though ovarian cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages, it is often curable," says Dr. Pearre. "We treat and can cure most of our patients with surgery, chemotherapy and maintenance oral or intravenous medicines to prevent cancer from coming back." The best way to increase your odds of an ovarian cancer cure is through early detection. By learning about your personal risk for ovarian cancer, seeking out genetic testing if you qualify and seeing your OB-GYN regularly, you can protect your gynecologic health for years to come. MEET DR. DIANA CHOLAKIAN PEARRE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGIST When Dr. Pearre attended Providence High School in Burbank, she was part of the medical focus program. "I was very interested in being a doctor from a young age," she says. "I always wanted to use my hands to help people, and then I volunteered at Providence Saint Joseph and got firsthand experience working in several departments to see what I liked." Dr. Pearre completed her undergraduate work at USC; medical school at the University of California, Irvine (UCI); her residency at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore; and a gynecologic oncology fellowship at UCI, before coming back to practice at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. "I am so happy to be able to serve the community where I was raised," says Dr. Pearre, who lives with her husband and six- year-old daughter and two-year-old son in Glendale. Dr. Pearre, who specializes in all gynecologic cancers, often uses robotics in her surgeries. Specifically, she says, "robotics is very important for endometrial cancer, because it allows a woman to have surgery with small incisions and go home the same or the next day." A big focus of Dr. Pearre's work is the field of fertility-sparing treatment. "Fertility-sparing treatment is very important," she says. "The goal is to do as little surgery as possible while a woman undergoes treatment. For uterine cancer, we use IUDs and oral hormones and watch carefully. For cervical cancer, we try to remove just part of the cervix, and for ovarian cancer we leave as much as we can of the gynecological organs." These procedures are not right for everyone; consult with your doctor about what's right for you. Dr. Pearre adds, "As a woman of childbearing age myself, I know how important it is to women that we do whatever we can to safeguard their fertility." What You Need to Know About Ovarian Cancer

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