Ovarian cancer can be prevented by early detection. Intake of foods heavy in saturated fats should be limited. Regular check-ups are must for early detection.The cancerous growth in the ovaries is termed as ovarian cancer. The symptoms are ovarian cancer are not very prominent. Therefore, this type of cancer is detected in the advanced stages in most of the cases. As such, being aware of the symptoms, preventive measures and treatments of such types of disorders is a must.
Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no sure way to prevent ovarian cancer. However, some studies have shown that there is a link between diet and ovarian cancer. Women who fall in the high risk category (family history) may benefit by limiting their intake of foods heavy in saturated fats.
How can ovarian cancer be treated?
The next best alternative to preventing ovarian cancer is to detect the disease in the early stages and treat it immediately before it spreads. Most of the time, it is detected during regular check-ups. Therefore, it is important that you go in for regular physical examinations (which include pap-smear tests) at least once a year.
You should also be alert to any kind of disturbance in the menstrual cycle, be it in terms of flow or frequency. If you suspect a tumour, an ultrasound examination would also help in detecting it. Note, however, that a tumour does not necessarily indicate cancer. Most tumors are benign. Only tumours that are malignant indicate cancer.
What are the common symptoms of ovarian cancer?
The early symptoms of ovarian cancer are usually neglected as they are mistaken for the symptoms of other common disorders. Let us take a look at some of the common symptoms of ovarian cancer.
- Increase in urination
- Menstrual problems
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Pain while having intercourse
- Bloating in abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Abnormal feeling of fullness after having meals
- Feeling urge to urinate frequently
- Tiredness
The above mentioned symptoms may not necessarily signify that a woman may have ovarian cancer. These symptoms may fade away after undergoing usual treatments. However, in certain cases they may persist which can be an alarming sign. In this case you must consult your doctor. These symptoms may become more prominent when the tumour starts spreading. It can be an indication that the cancer has started spreading outside the ovaries.
Factors that can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer
Some researchers have proved that certain factors can help to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women. It is found that mother who breastfeed their babies for long term have reduced risk of ovarian as well as breast cancer. It is also marked that usage of birth control pill for three or more than three years significantly reduce the chances of getting affected with ovarian cancer by 30% to 50%. Some surgical procedures like hysterectomy or a tubal ligation are also known to reduce the chances of ovarian cancer in females. Also, researchers say that women who have undergone more than one full-term pregnancy also have reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
What factors can increase the risk of ovarian cancer?
Family history of ovarian cancer can make women more susceptible to it. Health problems like obesity can also increase the chances of ovarian cancer in females by 50%. Incurable or unexplained infertility in women may also make them susceptible to ovarian cancer. Women who are taking estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are also at risk. But the risk reduces in such women when the therapy is over.
Early detection can really help. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid ignoring the symptoms and undergo regular checkups to prevent such problems from getting worse.
