Are you informed about the dangers ovarian cancer has on women? What’s your best action to prevent it? Woman or not, we want to educate you how to protect the women in your lives. This article will educate you about it.
In 1998, a number of 25,400 new cases of ovarian cancer were recorded and deaths related to it reached to a high number of 14,500. Medical practitioners agree that ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancers among women today. Despite efforts to minimize the alarming number of ovarian cancer cases, tumors are often difficult to detect attributed to the lack of effective screening tools and techniques, lack of early symptoms, and because these tumors are usually hidden deep in the pelvis area. However, according to the American Cancer Society, early diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer increases survival rate to 93%.
Stages of Ovarian Cancer:
If we are to learn about this cancer, we should be first informed of its stages.
Stage 1: Cancer is contained within one ovary or both ovaries.
Stage 2: Cancer is in one or both ovaries and has involved other organs within the pelvis. Organs that can be affected are uterus, fallopian tube, bladder and rectum.
Stage 3: Cancer involves one or both ovaries and one or both of the following are present:
(1) Cancer has spread beyond the pelvic to the lining of the abdomen.
(2) Cancer has affected the lymph nodes.
Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. Cancer is in one or both ovaries. There is distant metastasis to the liver, lungs or other organs outside the peritoneal cavity. Ovarian cancer cells in the lung cavity are evidence of stage IV disease.
Ovarian Cancer Characteristics:
Next, here’s a simple description of ovarian cancer.
It grows rapidly and it spreads fast throughout the whole reproductive system if not quick managed. It often affects both ovaries.
Metastasis occurs by directly spreading via the lymphatic drainage system or by setting itself within the peritoneal cavity affecting the organs around it.
Prognosis is usually poor because of the absence of signs and symptoms. Often the tumor is detected late.
A medical health professional usually performs an exploratory laparotomy to diagnose and stage the tumor.
symptoms of ovarian cancer or cysts are silent and are non specific.
Increased abdominal girth
Pelvic pressure or pelvic pain
Bloating
Back pain
Abdominal pain
Urinary urgency
Indigestion
Flatulence
Abdominal mass or abdominal swelling
Dysfunctional vaginal bleeding
Best action is preventive action. Women should have pelvic examinations every 6 months especially for women who have one or two relatives with ovarian cancer. Pap smear is also a screening tool for women over age 18; 2 tests annually for 2 consecutive years and at least every three years until age 65 for those with normal findings. For persons at high risk, it should be done yearly. This includes those who are sexually active, have multiple partners and commercial sex workers.
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors:
Here’s a list of risk factors that predisposes you to this ovarian cancer tumor.
Age: most develop after menopausal stage; 50% after age 65
Reproductive history: early menarche (before age 12); late menarche (after age 50); nulliparity (no live births); infertility; first pregnancy after age 30
Personal/family history: history of previous breast cancer; history of ovarian cancer in members of mother’s family; history of ovarian cancer in female members of father’s family
Genetics: BRCA 1/BRCA 2 mutation; Lynch Syndrome II
Environment factors: High-fat/low-fiber diet; use of talcum powder in genital area
Reduce risk:
Pregnancy
Lactation
Oral contraceptive use
Hysterectomy