Ovarian cancer And it's Early Symptoms Every Woman Needs to Know

By Rita  Soludo

Abstract: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide ,for many years scientists and researchers have worked around the clock to find a cure for every type of cancer,till the present day we are still learning about the deadly disease and without a cure we are left watching out for signs and symptoms that can help lead to a diagnosis. Take ovarian cancer for example; according to statistics Canada was estimated to have 2,800 cases of this cancer and 1,780 deaths from those cases in 2016 the United States was estimated to have 22,280 new cases with a total of 14,240 deaths in 2016.The reason why there's such a high death total is that this cancer is incredibly hard to diagnose,there are currently no tests that can be done to diagnose it and the symptoms are often mistaken for other diseases.However,new research has indicated that they are promising signs and symptoms of early ovarian cancer.

Introduction: 

       Ovarian Cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The female reproductive organ contains two(2) ovaries ,one on each side of the uterus . The ovaries each are about the size of an almond, the ovaries A.K.A the female gonads -are the primary female reproductive organs.These glands have three important functions: they secrete hormones (estrogen and progesterone), they protect the eggs a female is born with and they release eggs for possible fertilization.

 

 There are three types of ovarian cancer which includes ;

1.)The Epithelial tumors ; which starts on the tissue that is found outside of the ovaries . Almost 90% of ovarian cancer cases are epithelial tumors. 

2.) The Stromal tumors ; they start on the ovarian tissue that is responsible for producing hormone cells these tumors are diagnosed at early stages and about 7% of ovarian tumors are STROMAL .

       

3.) Germ cell tumors ; they start in the egg producing cells. Generally,this type of tumor only occur in younger women . 

It's important to understand the risk factors associated with ovarian cancer as well as it's various stages and various treatment options available to women . Understanding more about ovarian cancer can help you know what type of things to look out for in the event that you are worried you may be at risk for ovarian cancer.

  Risk Factors .

Like most diseases there are certain risk Factors that need to be taken into consideration when talking about ovarian cancer.Take your age for example anyone can be diagnosed with ovarian cancer but those who are 50 to 60 years old have a higher risk of  being diagnosed with it . Also it is possible to inherit the gene mutation that causes it. The gene is Breast Cancer Gene - 1 and Breast Cancer Gene -2 .

Other risk factor's associated with ovarian cancer include being overweight or obese. Studies suggest that women who are obesed  may have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer and obesity may also affect the survival chances of a woman who has developed ovarian cancer . That is why it is important to visit your doctor if you're obese or overweight to find out how you can improve your lifestyle to reduce your risk of developing ovarian cancer as well as other types of cancer .Studies also show that women who have children after the age of 35 have a higher risk of ovarian cancer while other studies suggest that women who take hormone therapy after menopause .For example, estrogen may be more at risk of developing ovarian cancer. Women who take estrogen without progesterone are more likely to develop ovarian cancer as opposed to women who take both estrogen and progesterone.

Diagnosis ;

As mentioned earlier there is no test that can show ovarian cancer . But there are other tests that can help doctor's make a decision.

1.) Imaging Test ; this test includes and ultrasound or CT scan of the pelvis or abdomen . These two (2) tests can help tell the size or shape of a woman's ovaries.

2.) Blood Test ; this test helps detect a protein CA-125 that is usually found in ovarian cancer cases.

Stages of Ovarian cancer.

There are four (4) stages of Ovarian cancer;

Stage 1  : is when the cancer is found in one or both ovaries.

Stage 2 : is when the cancer has begun to spread to other areas of the pelvis.

Stage 3 : in this stage the cancer has now spread to the abdomen.

Stage 4 : this is the final stage in which the cancer is found outside of the abdomen.

Treatment.

They are various types of treatment options available for women who have been diagnosed with Ovarian cancer.The type of treatment a woman receives depends on how advanced the cancer has become ; treatment's for ovarian cancer include;

1.) Local treatment which treats the tumor . This may include surgery to remove the tumor or even radiation therapy .

2.) Systemic treatment: This on the other hand, reaches the cancer cells which are located anywhere in the body this type of treatment is given in the form of drugs taken in the pill form or injected into the bloodstream .

Different types of drug treatment for ovarian cancer include;

a.) Chemotherapy .

b.) Hormone therapy.

c.) Targeted therapy. 

Treatment plans vary depending on the type of a ovarian cancer a woman is diagnosed with and the stage she is in .Most women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer undergo surgery to remove the tumor , while other forms of treatment will vary depending on how advanced the cancer is  for more information about treatment for ovarian cancer consult your doctor .

Early symptoms of Ovarian cancer .

1.) Constant bloating : if you are experiencing constant bloating that is not out of the ordinary usually lasting three (3) weeks or longer this could be a sign of Ovarian cancer .The best thing to do in this situation is consult your doctor and get a proper diagnosis . 

2.) Pain in your pelvis or lower abdomen : it is normal for women to feel pain in their pelvis or lower abdomen during menstruation but when than pain does not subside long after the woman is done menstruating . This sign is particularly important for women to watch out for because it is often mistaken for period pain . If you experience any unusual pain in your pelvis, lower abdomen or even feel fatigue in your legs it is best to speak to your doctor .

3.) Extreme fatigue : if you are feeling extremely tired or weak or your body and muscles do not feel as strong as they used to be ,monitor your body . If this continues over a period of weeks it is best to consult your doctor ,be sure to mention any other health issues or symptoms you may be experiencing.

4.) Eating issues : if you notice that your are becoming less hungry over a three(3) week span you should go consult your doctor . It could be issues with your stomach ,it could also be a sign of Ovarian cancer so it's best not to leave it up to chance.

5.) Urgent need to urinate : if you notice that you are constantly going to the bathroom to urinate and you haven't made any changes to the amount of liquid you consume this could be an early sign of Ovarian cancer . Also if you feel fine one minute and the two minutes later you are running to the bathroom it could be a bladder infection but also ovarian cancer .

Other symptoms include ;

a.) Pain during intercourse.

b.) Unusual vaginal bleeding .

c.) Unexplained weight gain.

d.) Sharp pain in your left ovary .

Conclusion .

If you notice one or more of any of these symptoms listed above , Do well to consult you doctor to rule out any health conditions or problems. You should also be sure to eat a nutrient rich diet and include some sort of exercise regimen into your life while also going for regular doctor's visits to ensure that your health is in good shape.