Did You Say Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian cancer that accounts for more than 25,000 newly diagnosed cases each year just in the United States Of America is generally detected in the much later stage when it has already spread outside the ovaries. Ovarian cancer or a group of malignant tumors start off from tissues of diverse type in the ovary. Most cancers of the ovary start off from the epithelial or outer layer of cells, with rarer types starting off from the egg forming germ cells or the stroma in the ovaries. However it is wrong to assume that all tumors and cysts could be cancerous, for non-cancerous or benign tumors are more common than cancer of the ovary.

The cancer of the ovary or ovarian cancer is the 7th common cancer among the women in America; with only 1 out of 5 cases diagnosed in the early stage when effective treatment can be effected. However most women may like to know the risk factors for ovarian cancer and take care to go in for early diagnosis. It is best to understand that risk does not mean a certainty, it only indicates an increased chance to develop this type of cancer.

I would say that a strong family history of cancer of the breasts, uterus, colon and rectum could expose a woman to cancer of the ovaries also. A family history could include ones blood relations like grandmother, mother, daughter or sister, with family history of cancer at a young age contributing to a higher chance for ovarian cancer. A genetic counselor could suggest genetic tests for you, certain genetic changes indicating an increased risk for cancer of ovaries.

It is more important to note that every woman that has a personal history of cancer and has been already afflicted with cancer of breast, uterus, colon or rectum stands a higher chance to get ovarian cancer. It is to be noted that cancer has the tendency to spread fast and chemotherapy and radiation can only treat or remove cancer germs for some time. In addition with the growth of new cells there is every chance for it to spread to other organs of the body also, with women once afflicted with cancer of a reproductive organ having chances of its spreading to other organs also.

It is true that women that have attained menopause and older women that have never had babies have a higher chance to get cancer of the ovaries. Postmenopausal use of hormones of hormone replacement therapy for a period of 10 years and more could increase the chances of getting ovarian

cancer, with estrogen replacement therapy or ERT having the highest risk followed by estrogen-progestin replacement therapy or EPRT. It is also true that obesity and use of talcum powder also played as a high risk factor.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer after it progresses to some extent could be pressure with or without pain and bloating felt in the abdomen, pelvis, back and legs, feeling of nausea with indigestion, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea and a feeling of feeling tired most of the time. In rare cases you could experience shortness of breath, frequent urge to urinate and heavy periods after stoppage of periods.

However it can be generalized as ovarian cancer and the doctor only has the expertise to diagnose it.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a number of topics, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more, please visit our website at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer