About Ovarian Cancer

Cancer is the overgrowth of cell in the body. And ovaries are the female reproductive glands producing eggs for reproduction. 

Ovarian cancer is any cancerous growth that starts in the ovary but can spread to pelvic area and stomach. It is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death among females in the US. 

Depending on the stage, most ovarian cancers begin in the epithelium of the ovary, with little to no symptoms in the early stage. 

When there are symptoms, they appear like other conditions like 

• Urge to urinate even if you just came out of the bathroom 
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Pain in the pelvis
• Bloating
• Vaginal bleeding without menstruating
• Pain in the abdomen or back
• Filling full suddenly when eating
• Constipation

With other symptoms like weight loss, nausea, indigestion, fatigue, appetite loss, breathlessness. 

While the precise cause of ovarian cancer is not clear, health experts identified the following as risk factors;

• Family history such as a relative with ovarian or breast cancer
• Age factor, women above 63 years are more likely to have ovarian cancer
• Never having children or having children after the age of 35 years
• Breast cancer
• Undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause
• Overweight and obesity
• Dietary factors
• High androgen/male hormones
• Use of talcum powder (an active ingredient in beauty product)

While you can't outrightly prevent ovarian cancer, however, you can lower your risk through the following;

• Exercising regularly
• Give birth, more pregnancy lower your risk
• Stop smoking
• Eat healthy
• Breast feed
• Surgical removal of the uterus
• Hormonal contraceptives

Diagnosis

See a doctor for diagnosis such as pelvic examination and blood test.