What are the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
Early diagnosis of
ovarian cancers is significantly associated with better patient prognosis.
Unfortunately, the majority of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are already
in advanced stages of the disease.
The symptoms of
ovarian cancer are generally vague and may not be obvious, but the following
may occur:
- Vague abdominal pain or
pressure
- Feeling of abdominal
fullness, gas, nausea, indigestion different to your normal sensations
- Sudden abdominal
swelling, weight gain or bloating
- Persistent changes in
bowel or bladder patterns
- Low backache or cramps
- Abnormal vaginal
bleeding
- Pain during intercourse
- Unexplained weight loss
The majority of
women who experience these early symptoms do not have cancer. However, it is
important that you seek medical advice if the symptoms persist.
What are the risk factors?
The cause of most
ovarian cancers is not known. However, certain risk factors increase the chance of developing the disease. Age - Most women develop ovarian cancer after menopause
and 50% are older than 65.
Lifestyle Factors - Caucasian women in industrialized
countries with a higher standard of living have a higher risk
- Dietary factors such as
the consumption of meat, whole milk and animal fat have been associated with an increased risk in some
studies; others have not found this connection.
- The evidence suggests a
small to moderate positive relation between an increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and occurrence of ovarian
cancer
Ovulatory factors Ovulation is the process by which an egg is released
from the ovary for fertilization. Women who ovulate less frequently throughout
their life appear to have a lower risk to develop ovarian cancer. Risk factors therefore include: - Having few or no children
- Having started periods at
an early age
- Having the first child
after the age of 30
- Menopause occurring after
the age of 50
- The use of the combined oral contraceptive pill and breastfeeding lowers
the risk slightly
Genetic factors - Between 5 and 10% of cases of ovarian cancer
are believed to be attributable to hereditary factors. Most hereditary ovarian cancers are associated
with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
(HNPCC) syndrome is associated with ovarian cancer and other malignancies of the
gastrointestinal and genitourinary system.
- Women with one first degree relative (mother,
aunt or sister) diagnosed with ovarian cancer and no confirmed family
history have a lifetime risk of ovarian cancer which is at most moderately
above the average for the general population; more than 97% of women in this
group will not develop ovarian cancer.
- Women with two or more first-degree relatives
diagnosed with ovarian cancer or who have other risk factors like
Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a potentially high risk of developing
ovarian cancer and perhaps other cancers, such as breast cancer. But
although the risk may be more than 3 times higher than the population
average, the majority of women in this group will not develop ovarian
cancer.
However, 95% of all ovarian cancer occurs in women without these risk factors
and many women who have risk factors do not develop ovarian cancer.
What can you do?
There’s no screening test for ovarian cancer. A Pap test - used to detect cervical cancer - does not detect ovarian cancer.
If you’re still concerned about a persistent symptom, get a second opinion. No one knows your body like you do.
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| What are the statistics?
How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
How is ovarian cancer treated?
How does one live with ovarian cancer?
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