age

I am a 58 yr old femail - with burning in my abdomin (abdomen). I had a tubal after my second daughter was born and had breast cancer at age 43. I went through menapause after the cancer but I still have my ovaries. Are my risk of ovarian cancer high. I go for a CT scan this week for them to check my left side. Does your chances increase after menapause when there is no hormones in your body?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
I am glad that you are getting a check up and a CT scan.

The risk of ovarian cancer does increase with age . this is not because of the loss of hormones. All cancers have an increased incidence with age. The process of aging is thought to have something to do with malignant transformation.

here is a link to an article on aging and cancer

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v448/n7155/full/nature05985.html

I hope everything goes well with your scan
best wishes