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Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
You have to learn to defend yourself against cancer and not let it scare you.
The only true defense that we have against it is understanding it.
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
Cancer is a scary word because the disease can be devastating. This is a leading cancer in women and it can be very scary to receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
You have to learn to defend yourself against cancer and not let it scare you. The only true defense that we have against it is understanding it. Learning the ovarian cancer risks, factors, prevention techniques and other important facts can help you to lower your risk of the disease.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
This is cancer of the ovaries, the female reproductive glands where eggs are produced.
It can either develop in the ovaries themselves or in the eggs within the ovaries. All women, regardless of age, race or other factors are at risk for getting ovarian cancer simply because they are women.
Factors That Increase Ovarian Cancer Risk
A risk factor is something that increases the chance that you could get cancer. For there are a few ovarian cancer risk factors that women should be aware of. It is important to note, though, that any woman can get this type of cancer. You do not have to have risk factors to get it.
Risk factors just are an indication of your increased chance of getting the disease.
Knowing if you have any ovarian cancer risk factors will allow you to be more attentive. The main thing with cancer is early detection.
As cancer grows it gets harder to treat and it causes more damage to the body, so if you catch it early then your recovery and survival rates are much better.
The main ovarian cancer risk factors that you need to know include the following:
- a family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer
- being over the age of 65 or already in menopause
- being obese
- use of fertility drugs or never giving birth to a child
Ovarian Cancer Testing
Along with knowing your ovarian cancer risk
, You also need to know the ovarian cancer symptoms. The regular tests that your doctor does at your annual check up do not detect it.
Unless your doctor orders ovarian cancer testing specifically, you are the one who has to keep a watch out for symptoms so you can tell your doctor and then be tested.
The symptoms can be difficult to spot because of the location of the ovaries.
Symptoms are often confused as a minor illness or some type of stomach or intestine problem. As the disease progresses the symptoms become more recognizable. These symptoms include:
bloating
- pain in the pelvic or abdominal area
- a full feeling that comes on quickly when eating
- frequent urination
- stomach upset
- back pain
- painful sexual intercourse
- constipation
- changes in menstruation
- sudden weight loss or gain
- fatigue
Usually if you feel any of these ovarian cancer symptoms for more than 2 weeks or they seem to get more intense then you should see your doctor.
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It is almost impossible to prevent any type of cancer because the exact cause of cancer is unknown. However, there are things that have been shown to decrease your risk. If you are at a high risk for this cancer then it is well worth it to consider some of the following things that you can do to lower your risk.
The use of oral contraceptives for over 5 years on a continuous basis has shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer. The longer a woman uses oral contraceptives, the more it reduces the risk.
Women who have had a child and breastfed are at a lower risk for cancer of the ovaries. Women who had children before age 25 have an even lower risk of developing breast cancer.
Some women, who are genetically at high risk for developing ovarian cancer, choose to have surgical procedures to lower their risks. Tubal ligation, hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries are all ways to surgically reduce your risk of getting cancer of the ovaries. Read how to beat the odds of Ovarian Cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
Having information about the symptoms,ovarian cancer risk, factors and how to lower your risk is very helpful in the fight against cancer of the ovaries.
However, since this cancer cannot be prevented and treatment is most effective the earlier that the cancer is found, regular screenings can really help you to fight ovarian cancer.
The detection is still a topic of study as researchers look for better ways to detect it early. There are many options right now, though, that can help you to detect it early so it can be treated effectively.
Screening for cancer of the ovaries may include a pelvic exam like you get at your annual check up. The trouble with a pelvic exam is that it cannot detect it in the early stages. Transvaginal sonography is a better way to detect early stage cancer. This is an ultrasound technique that allows a doctor to see into the ovaries themselves. Another screening method is a blood test called a CA-125 test which measures the levels of a protein that is produced by cancer cells. Elevated levels show that cancer may be present.
As research continues there is a hope to develop methods that are less expensive, more available and able to easily detect the cancer at the early stages.
Right now, though, you have these screening options. You should discuss your risk level with your doctor and make sure a proper screening plan is put in place to match your risk level.
As said before, knowledge is power. When you are proactive against it then there is no need to be afraid. You have the power to protect yourself against cancer of the ovaries and to stop it before it can grow into a major problem.
As long as you are willing to do everything you can to stop ovarian cancer, you are the one that is in control and you nothing to fear. Remember there are things that have been shown to decrease your ovarian cancer risk.