WKU News

Ovarian cancer that accounts for more than 25,000 newly diagnosed cases of cancer each year only in the United States Of America is by and large detected in the later stages when it has already spread outside the ovaries. Ovarian cancer or a group of malignant tumors start in tissues of different sorts in the ovary.

Most cancers of the ovary start in the epithelial or outer layer of cells, with rarer kinds starting in the egg forming germ cells or the stroma in the ovaries. However it is incorrect to imagine that all tumors and cysts could be cancerous, for non-cancerous or benign tumors are more frequent than cancer of the ovary.

Cancer of the ovary or ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cancer among women in America; with only one out of five cases diagnosed in the early stage when effectual treatment can be implemented. However most women might like to know the danger factors for ovarian cancer and take care to go in for early analysis.

It is best to realize that danger does not mean a certainty, it only indicates an increased likelihood to develop this type of cancer.

They 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 one’s blood relatives like grandmother, mother, daughter or sister, with a 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 the ovaries.

It is important to note that each woman that has a personal history of cancer and has been already afflicted with cancer of the breast, uterus, colon or rectum stands a higher likelihood to get ovarian cancer.

It is to be observed that cancer has the tendency to spread rapidly and chemotherapy and radiation can only treat or remove cancer for some time. In addition to the growth of new cells there is every opportunity for it to spread to other organs of the body also.

It is the case that women that have attained menopause and older women that have never had babies have a higher chance to develop cancer of the ovaries. Postmenopausal use of hormones like hormone replacement therapy for a period of 10 years and more could rise the likelihood of getting ovarian cancer, with estrogen replacement therapy or ERT having the highest danger followed by estrogen-progestin replacement therapy or EPRT. It is also true that obesity and use of talcum powder also create a higher risk factor.

The indications of ovarian cancer after it develops to some extent could be pressure with or without pain and bloating experienced in the abdomen, pelvis, back and legs, feeling of nausea with indigestion, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea and a feeling of tiredness most of the time. In rare instances you could experience shortness of breath, the recurrent urge to urinate and heavy periods after stoppage of periods.

However it can be hard to diagnose ovarian cancer and the only one who can do it in the right manner is a GP.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on quite a few subjects, but is now involved with the stages of ovarian cancer. If you want to know more, please visit our web site at Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer