Dr. Sunil Gandhi, Cancer & Blood Disease, 09/25/12

Cancer of the ovary is relatively less common; it is the ninth most common cancer in women in the United States.

In spite of that, it is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths.

In other words, the cure rate is low.

As in many other cancers, if we diagnose this early, the cure rate is high. The overall five-year survival rate is 44 percent, but this varies widely depending on the extent (stage) of the cancer.

If the cancer is diagnosed and treated before it has spread outside the ovaries, the five-year survival rate is 93 percent. If the cancer has spread to against UTIs, but not all experts agree as to its efficacy. Since urinary infections occur when bacteria that enter the urinary tract attach themselves to the wall of the bladder or lining of the urinary tract, proanthocyanidins (PCAs) in cranberry reduce the risk of infections by preventing the bacterial fimbria (hair-like projections on the bacteria), from sticking to the bladder wall.

Many women find cranberry juice beneficial, and certainly it does no harm.

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cranberry juice when compared to preventive low-dose antibiotics or lactobacillus. About 8 to 10 ounces of cranberry juice a day has been shown to reduce the risk of urinary infections. However, patients should be aware of the calorie content of the juice, if they are watching their weight.

An alternative to drinking the required 8 to 10 ounces of cranberry juice is to use a cranberry supplement.

If using a supplement, choose products that have been tested and verified by independent organizations, such as USP and NSF International.

Vaginal estrogens have been used to help re-establish the normal lactobacilli in the vagina in the hope that it would prevent the pathogenic E. coli.

Probiotics are oral drugs taken to change the bowel and vaginal flora. Efforts are under way to produce a vaccine against the E. coli bacteria, which is one of the most common causes of UTI in women.

Such a vaccine does not exist, however, as there are several challenges researchers face in finding the right type and the correct route of administration of the vaccine. Dr. Uehling, emeritus professor of urology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, is in the process of testing a vaccine that can be self-administered as a vaginal suppository.

A recent study also showed that older individuals with kidney stone disease are more likely than their younger counterparts to present with urinary tract infections, or may have unusual symptoms such as atypical distribution of pain or diarrhea.

The risk of having UTI increases 1.26-fold per decade of life. Elderly patients are more likely to present with less specific symptoms, and a high degree of suspicion is essential to diagnose UTIs and stone disease in the elderly.

Please remember that drinking plenty of fluids help to flush the bacteria from the system. Water is best!

While most people should aim for six to eight glasses of fluid a day, people with kidney failure should not drink as much. When in doubt about how much fluid intake is healthy, consult your physician. 

Dr. Sunil Gandhi is a hematologist and oncologist. He is volunteer medical adviser of the Citrus Unit of American Cancer Society. Write to 521 N. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, FL 34461, email sgandhi@tampabay.rr.com or call 352-746-0707.