One-third get poor ovarian cancer treatment

[flamingyouth]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One in three U.S. ovarian cancer patients does not get the recommended comprehensive surgery, researchers reported on Monday.

Women over the age of 70, blacks or Hispanics and Medicaid patients are especially likely to be undertreated for the cancer, which is highly deadly, Dr. Barbara Goff of the University of Washington in Seattle and colleagues found.

"All ovarian cancer patients, especially those who are vulnerable because of age, race, or socioeconomic status, (should be) referred to centers or surgeons from whom they are more likely to get optimal surgery," the researchers recommended.

Research shows that aggressive surgery and chemotherapy can more effectively treat ovarian cancer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070409/us_nm/cancer_ovarian_dc