Ovarian Cancer – Early Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment
Ovarian Cancer – Early Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment
Ovarian cancer refers to any cancerous growth that begins in the ovary. This is the part of the female body that produces eggs.
Ovarian cancer is #1 cause of gynecologic cancer deaths around the world. 1 in 75 women will develop ovarian cancer. It often has warning signs and symptoms but they are easy to dismiss. Statistics show that only 20% of ovarian cancers are detected at an early stage.
Early warning signs of ovarian cancer
60 percent women are ignorant of ovarian cancer symptoms.
Early warning signs of ovarian cancer are similar to the other common illness because they come and go. Early warning signs include:
- abdominal bloating
- abnormal fullness after eating
- difficulty eating
- increased urination
Ovarian cancer can show some other symptoms also, such as:
- indigestion
- fatigue
- back pain
- heartburn
- painful intercourse
- menstrual irregularities
- unexpected vaginal bleeding
These symptoms aren’t necessarily due to ovarian cancer. Many women have some of these problems at one time or another. Symptoms become severe when the tumor grows. So, if any of these symptoms last for 2 weeks or more, a person should see a doctor.
Because, we all know that cancers are best treated when detected early.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer
The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown but these factors can increase your risk:
- a family history of cancer
- age (over 63)
- obesity
- hormone therapies
- history of breast cancer or colon cancer
- no history of pregnancy
Most cases of ovarian cancer develop after menopause. Again, having these risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop ovarian cancer. It’s possible to that you develop ovarian cancer without having any of these risk factors.
Ovarian cancer diagnosis
It’s much easier to treat ovarian cancer when your doctor diagnoses it in the early stages. If your doctor suspects an ovarian cancer from regular screenings, they will typically:
- ask you about personal history and family history
- recommend a pelvic examination
For further diagnosis, your doctor may also recommend:
- blood tests (checking high levels of a marker called CA-125)
- imaging tests
- laparoscopy
- biopsy
Ovarian cancer treatment
Overall, the treatment depends on how far the cancer has spread. It will most likely include two or more of the following:
- chemotherapy
- cancer surgery to remove the tumor
- targeted therapy
- hormone therapy
Cancer treatment can damage your reproductive organs, making it difficult to become pregnant. If you want to become pregnant in the future, talk to your doctor before starting treatment. Your cancer specialist will suggest you, the possible fertility prevention options.
Takeaway…
All types of ovarian cancer are treatable if a patient is diagnosed with cancer in its early stages and get treatment. Some types are also highly treatable in the later stages. So, a regular screening can often lead to an early diagnosis & increase the change of effective treatment.