Whether you are in your 20s, 30s or 60s, risk of getting ovarian cancer will not go away because you are a woman. And statistics say the risk is 1 in 78 and if the symptoms of ovarian cancer reach to advance stage then risk of dying is 1 in 108.
In other words, ovary cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and if we go by a few more statistics it ranks 3rd in India and 8th globally. And according to the latest report by the American Cancer Society, it’s even more dangerous as it will cause more than 12 thousand deaths this year.
via:medicalnewstoday
The number of new patients will reach 19,880, only in America. Good part is that women with ovary cancer have a relatively 5 years of survival rate if diagnosed at right time. Otherwise, with age the complexity will increase and chances of survival will decrease.
Therefore, every woman should be aware of this highly lethal gynecological cancer, what it is and how it is caused. Learn about the common symptoms, prevention, and more.
What Is Ovarian Cancer?
via:vchri
A female body has two ovaries that produce eggs or ovaries which are important for reproduction. When the cells inside these ovaries grow abnormally, it takes the form of cancer.
Previous evidences showed that this form of cancer occurs either in both ovaries or one. But, recent studies have found that it can occur anywhere in fallopian tubes and even in the peritoneum which is the outer tissues of abdominal wall.
What Are The Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
via:medicalnewstoday
At first, there are no specific signs or symptoms of ovary cancer even if the cells have started multiplying abnormally. Over the time, body starts showing some common symptoms that would still not give any indication about cancer’s development.
So it is necessary to visit a doctor if you feel
- Pain in the pelvis, belly or back
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Need to pee frequently
- Vaginal bleeding, discharge of unusual fluid, etc…
- Appetite loss
- Easily get full
These early signs of ovarian cancer should be monitored properly and if persists for more than 2 weeks, its time to visit a gynecologist. In addition to these, if your symptoms are accompanied by weight loss, nausea, breath shortening or weakness then it becomes highly important to get diagnosed.
Who Is At The Risk?
via:healthabove60
• Women of older age, usually above 60, who enters the menopause phase or young women under 40s diagnosed with breast cancer
• Those having family history of cancer are at risk of getting ovarian cancer as BRCA 1 and 2 genes are found in them. These are breast cancer-causing genes
• Overweight women can easily get any type of ovarian cancer as they have extremely high level of estrogen in their body. These growth hormones cause increase in multiplication of cells leading to cancer
• Women with endometriosis also have chances of getting ovary cancer due to the tissues growing outside the uterus
• Those females undergoing hormone replacement therapy may develop ovarian cancer
In a few cases, women with pregnancy issues or never gotten pregnant can also get it.
Also Read: Foods You Shouldn’t Eat If You’re Trying Not To Get Pregnant
Is Ovarian Cancer Curable?
via:lfyboat
Around 20 percent of patients have recovered well and survived for more than 10 years after diagnosis and treatment. This is possible due to timely diagnosis and through proper treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted and biotherapy. All these make life manageable, reduce the symptoms by removing cancer cells to a limit.
But not every patient recovers and live longer as ovary cancer can cause death if the patient has an infection, disseminated carcinomatosis, or more complications.