Though medical science has ensured that most of the diseases can be cured and has led to a decline in the mortality rate, one disease that cannot be completely cured is cancer. Cancer in any form, be it breast cancer, throat or lung cancer, prostate cancer, etc. is a fatal disease, and barely a handful of people manage to come out of it alive, and timely detection of the condition is what aids the treatment.
Among the different types of cancer that affect women, the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths is ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer, like every other form of cancer, can be contained in its initial stages. Ovarian cancer usually starts in the outer lining or epithelium of the ovary. It is quite difficult to diagnose this form of cancer since few or no symptoms surface. We often confuse the symptoms with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, unlike these conditions, the symptoms simply worsen as time flies.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are as follows-
- Severe back pain
- Frequent indigestion or heartburn
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen, the pelvis or in the lower part of the body
- The urge to urinate frequently
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
These symptoms become more prominent as the condition worsens.
Ovarian cancer occurs when the cells in the ovaries divide and multiply in an uncontrolled manner. The causes of ovarian cancer are linked to the following conditions-
Family history
Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are more susceptible to the disease.
Reproductive history
Women who have full-term pregnancies especially before the age of 26 are at a lower risk of ovarian cancer.
Age
Women who reached their menopause, especially those over 60 are at a risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Hormone therapy
Women who had undergone hormone therapy are at a greater risk of falling prey to ovarian cancer.
Obesity
Women whose BMI index is more than 30 are more prone to ovarian cancer.
Since ovarian cancer cannot be cured if it’s in its final stages, one can definitely take preventive measures to keep ovarian cancer at bay. So, here are some preventive techniques which can ensure that you remain free from this fatal disease.
Oral Contraceptives
It has been observed that the usage of birth control pills can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 25% to 30%. Taking these pills for a period of around 5 years can considerably reduce the risk of a woman developing ovarian cancer.
Healthy diet:
Obesity has been linked to ovarian cancer. So, if the individual’s BMI is more than 30, they need to ensure that they follow a healthy diet and exercise routine to lose weight. This will be instrumental in protecting them from ovarian cancer.
Hysterectomy:
In case, the individual has a family history of ovarian cancer, then she’s more susceptible to ovarian cancer. In such cases, as a precautionary measure, women opt for a hysterectomy, where the ovaries are removed surgically.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It has been observed that women who had their first pregnancy before the age of 30 and those who breastfeed for over a year are at a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer.
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