Written by: Dr. Lanny Wilson
The Dean of Clinical Sciences at Avalon University School of Medicine discusses ovarian cancer prevention
The American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) “What Doctors Wish Patients Knew” series gives physicians a platform to share what they want patients to understand about today’s health care headlines and other important medical topics.
Avalon University School of Medicine’s Dean of Clinical Sciences, Dr. Lanny F. Wilson, has collaborated with AMA’s senior communications specialist, Sara Berg, for two previous installments of the series:
- November 12, 2021 – “What doctors wish patients knew about COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy”, and
- April 29, 2022 – “What doctors wish patients knew about COVID-19 vaccines and fertility”.
For the November 11, 2022 installment, Dr. Wilson was asked to discuss “What doctors wish patients knew about ovarian cancer prevention”. Although there are no known ways to actually prevent ovarian cancer, and no straightforward screening tools like pap smears, Dr. Wilson helped to relate ways to decrease the risk of getting advanced ovarian cancer. In his discussion, he offered ways of detecting the cancer early so that death is less likely to be the outcome. “The most important preventive thing that a person can do is have annual exams with a primary care physician,” said Dr. Wilson, “and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms.” Dr. Wilson stressed the importance of good general health measures, attention to diet, exercise, weight control, appropriate amounts of water daily, and keeping stresses under control.
Gathering a family history is key during the physician’s first encounter with a new patient. If a person has a strong family history of a variety of cancers, they may be at risk for developing ovarian cancer, and genetic studies will be recommended.
The ovarian cancer prevention article is scheduled to ‘go live’ on November 11, 2022. Sara Berg, AMA’s senior communications specialist, stated that “It is always such a pleasure working with you on these different articles.”; and Dr. Wilson shared exactly the same compliments about work with Ms. Berg.
