Things You Should Know About Ovarian Cancer

22 Apr Things You Should Know About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest and second most common gynecologic cancer. With any kind of cancer, the early it is detected, the chances of successfully treating it increase and vice-versa. Also, if ovarian cancer is investigated in the early stage only, where it is restrained to ovaries it can be treated successfully rather if it is diagnosed at a later stage where cancer is spread in the abdomen and within the pelvis. But you can help protect yourself by knowing if you’re at risk and recognizing the symptoms, says ‘Dr. Usha M Kumar, best cancer surgeon in Delhi.’

The female reproductive system consists of two ovaries, it is of the size of an almond and it is responsible for producing eggs and hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

However, it is difficult to detect ovarian cancer at an early stage as it hardly ever shows any major symptoms. Moreover, in later stages also there are few unclear symptoms. The best Cancer surgeon in Delhi have summed up in below list the symptoms of ovarian cancer:

• Swelling of abdominal
• Unexpected weight loss
• The feeling of discomfort in the pelvic area
• Feeling of complete fullness through eating even a small appetite.
• Unusual changes in bowel habits, like constipation
• Increased frequency of urination

Ovarian cancer is usually treated with surgery along with chemotherapy sessions. Besides, the causes of ovarian cancer are not known yet in spite of lots of studies. Though doctors have stated what can cause an increased risk of it, exact causes are not discovered.

Types of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is classified based on the kind of cell where cancer initiates. Ovarian cancer types include:

• Epithelial tumors
• Germ cell tumors
• Stromal tumors

Risk factors

Doctors have discovered a few factors that can increase the risk of ovarian cancer. It includes:

• Older age. Majorly, ovarian cancer is common among women of age around 50-60 years.
• Inherited gene variation. In a few cases, the cause for ovarian cancer is gene variations that you inherit from your parents. Sometimes these genes tend to increase the risk of ovarian as well as breast cancer.
• Any family history of ovarian cancer
• Estrogen hormone replacement therapy- When people consume this for the long term and that too in large doses, they are more likely to be at risk of ovarian cancer.
• Age when menstruation started and ended. At the time of the beginning of menstruation and at the time of starting menopause at a later age, or both can ascend the risk of ovarian cancer.

Well, it is disappointing to conclude that there is no actual way of preventing ovarian cancer. Perhaps, there may be certain ways to decrease your risk:

• Consuming birth control pills- First, make sure to ask your doctor if you are fit for consuming it or not before considering it as an option. People who consume it have a lower risk of ovarian cancer.
• Discuss your risk factors with your doctor- In case your close relatives or your family history shows that someone has undergone ovarian or breast cancer, bring this up with your doctor as he can guide what will be the best option for you, or is there a need to worry or not. There is Cancer Surgeon in Delhi, Dr. Usha M Kumar where you can undergo removing ovaries.