Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that affects the female reproductive system.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), a woman’s lifetime risk of developing ovarian cancer is 1 in 87.
This disease is mostly seen in older women, especially women over 63 years of age.
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Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month It is celebrated every year in September. During this month and throughout the year, it is important to spread awareness about ovarian cancer and donate to organizations that conduct important research about this disease.
Below is more information about ovarian cancer.
- What is ovarian cancer?
- How is ovarian cancer usually detected?
- What are the early warning signs of ovarian cancer?
- What should I do if I think I have symptoms?
- What should I know about reducing my risk of ovarian cancer?
- What should I know about ovarian cancer risk factors?
- Is ovarian cancer curable?
- At what age is ovarian cancer most common?
The month of September is recognized as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. (iStock)
1. What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a Specific cancer diagnoses for womenThis cancer occurs when abnormal cells form in the ovaries or fallopian tubes.
The female reproductive system consists of two ovaries, one on either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and also release estrogen and progesterone.
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Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed when cells, particularly in the ovaries, begin to grow uncontrollably.
2. How is ovarian cancer usually detected?
There is no screening test for ovarian cancer.
The ACS says efforts to develop comprehensive screening tests “have not yet yielded much success.”
However, the organization does offer two options in lieu of a comprehensive screening test: transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and the CA-125 blood test.
Ovarian cancer affects a woman’s reproductive organs. (iStock)
TVUS “uses sound waves to view the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries by inserting an ultrasound wand into the vagina.” While this test can detect tumors in the ovaries, it is unable to detect whether the tumor is benign.
The CA-125 blood test measures the amount of the CA-125 protein in the blood. While researchers have found high levels of the protein in women with ovarian cancer, the ACS advises that high levels of the protein have also been found in women with “common conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease,” while further noting that not all women with ovarian cancer have high CA-125 levels.
3. What are the early warning signs of ovarian cancer?
Dr. Michael Worley, a surgical gynecologic oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, previously told Fox News Digital that early-stage ovarian cancer has no specific symptoms.
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Ovarian cancer symptoms are often vague, Worley said.
One Symptoms are weight loss or gain.
Other symptoms can include abdominal bloating, bowel changes such as diarrhea or constipation, bladder changes such as increased frequency or urgency, abdominal discomfort and pressure, and a feeling of fullness, Dr. Jamie Bakum-Gamez, a gynecologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, previously told Fox News.
4. What should I do if I think I have symptoms?
It can often be difficult for women to recognize the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer, as most of the symptoms are similar to those of menstruation or menopause.
If symptoms persist, a woman should see a doctor for a pelvic ultrasound, Bakum-Gamez said, adding that women who have symptoms should see a gynecologist.
Worley said a visit to an OB-GYN is “a good place to start,” adding that sometimes an ultrasound or CT scan may also be ordered.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are very similar to the symptoms of menstruation or menopause. (iStock)
5. What should I know about reducing my risk of ovarian cancer?
According to the CDC, it’s recommended for middle-aged women with the BRCA-1 gene to have their fallopian tubes tied and their ovaries removed.
It’s also recommended for women with the BRCA-2 gene, but age guidelines vary.
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Other factors that may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women Giving birth in it, These include sterilization, hysterectomy, breastfeeding and using birth control pills, Bacum-Gamez said.
Worley said oral birth control is “by far the easiest way” to reduce the risk.
While the method “works relatively well even for people with BRCA mutations,” she noted, there is conflicting data on whether it increases breast cancer risk and that these women should talk to their doctors.
According to the ACS, people who take oral contraceptives for five or more years have about a 50% lower risk of developing cancer. That being said, there are other risks and side effects associated with the pill as well. So, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the risks before making a decision.
Taking oral contraceptives is one way to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. (iStock)
Worley said risk reduction from hysterectomy is “a little more controversial,” noting that older data suggests the procedure doesn’t reduce risk, while newer data suggests it helps. Removing the uterus does reduce ovarian risk, he said.
In addition, living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk. This includes regular exercise, Eat a healthy diet and avoid smoking.
6. What should I know about ovarian cancer risk factors?
The biggest risk factor for ovarian cancer is age, as it is more commonly found in older women.
According to the CDC, family history, not having children and a diagnosis of endometriosis are among the risk factors for ovarian cancer.
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Others include the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 genes, which are linked to ovarian and cervical cancer. Breast cancer.
Additionally, Caucasians are more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
According to Varley, early onset of menstruation and late menopause are also risk factors.
Bakkam-Gamez said women who have a family history of ovarian, fallopian tube cancer and breast cancer “should really think about meeting with a genetic counselor.” “This could lead to potential prevention.”
One of the biggest risk factors associated with ovarian cancer is age. (iStock)
7. Is ovarian cancer curable?
The sooner a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the easier it is to treat the disease. Typically, ovarian cancer is treated through surgery to remove the tumor and/or chemotherapy.
The life expectancy of a person with ovarian cancer is based on averages and also varies depending on the type of cancer.
The ACS has outlined relative survival rates for ovarian cancer based on women diagnosed between 2012 and 2018. Five-year survival rates are divided between the type of ovarian cancer, invasive epithelial, stromal or germ cell tumors, and also classified based on the stage of cancer, localized, regional and distant.
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For a person with localized ovarian cancer, the cancer has not spread outside of the ovaries. In regional ovarian cancer, it has spread outside but is near the ovaries. Finally, in distant ovarian cancer, it has spread to more distant parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.
The ACS says that invasive epithelial ovarian cancer has a five-year survival rate of 50% for all three stages combined. This means that women with this type of ovarian cancer are 50% more likely to live at least five years after diagnosis than women who do not have cancer.
Early detection is important in the treatment of ovarian cancer. (iStock)
According to the source, the survival rate for ovarian stromal tumors of all three stages is 89%, and the survival rate for ovarian germ cell tumors of all stages is 92%.
Finally, the five-year survival rate for all three stages of fallopian tube cancer is 55%.
8. At what age is ovarian cancer most common?
One of the main factors that increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer is age.
The risk of ovarian cancer is very low in women under age 40. According to the ACS, half of ovarian cancer cases are found in women age 63 or older.
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Most commonly, ovarian cancer develops after a: the woman reaches menopause,
Andy Sahadev and Zoe Szathmary contributed reporting.
