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Ovarian cancer is a kind of cancer that affects the ovaries, which are female reproductive organs that reside on each side of the uterus. Ovarian cancer accounts for 3% of all cancer cases in women. Early detection of ovarian cancer is difficult. The symptoms might be mistaken for those of other disorders, and you may not have any. There are no good screening tests available for detecting early indications of the illness.
If discovered early, the five-year survival rate ranges from 93 to 98 percent. In her lifetime, one in every 78 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. However, four out of every five people are not detected at an early stage.
Every year in March, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is honored. Let us know what symptoms you should be aware of so that you may address them with your doctor. Determine what factors put women at high risk of the disease so that they may receive preventative therapy if necessary.
When symptoms do arise, ovarian cancer may not show any visible indicators in its early stages. Other symptoms are more commonly associated with more prevalent illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome and urinary tract infection. In general, women begin to experience symptoms when cancer spreads to other regions of the body.
Early symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar to those of other prevalent illnesses. The majority of the time, these symptoms are caused by anything other than cancer. Among the symptoms are:
- Bloating, trouble in eating
- Abdominal or pelvic discomfort, swelling in the belly
- Pain during sex
- Appetite changes (loss of appetite, feeling full after little meal)
- Menstrual changes – missed period, heavy bleeding, spotting, bleeding when not in periods, odd vaginal discharge
If you have any of the following, you may be at high risk for ovarian cancer:
- Ovarian cancer in the family
- BRCAI or BRCA2 genetic mutation
- BRCAI or BRCA2 genetic mutation
- Obesity
- Never had pregnancy
- Hormone therapy or fertility medications were used.
- Have experienced endometriosis
Diagnostic tests most often used are
- Pelvic examination – to check the change in size and shape of your ovaries
- Vaginal ultrasound – to take picture of ovaries, tubes, and uterus
- CA125 – higher level in ovarian cancer
- Biopsy – Take a sample of tissue and test
Delaying a cancer diagnosis might endanger one’s life. Given the lack of a standard screening test and symptoms that overlap with other disorders, excellent treatment outcomes may be dependent on your capacity to advocate for yourself. Many people might not detect symptoms until their ovarian cancer has gotten to an advanced stage. However, understanding what signs to look for might aid in early detection. If you are concerned about your cancer risk, make an appointment with your doctor. The prognosis for ovarian cancer can be improved with early identification and diagnosis.
Written by Saumya Singh
Author’s bio:
Saumya Singh is a budding lifestyle and entertainment journalist. She believes that lifestyle journalism is not everyone’s cup of tea. She holds the view that just like hard stories, covering soft stories also deserves their appreciation because it is a part of journalism that appeals to the masses.
