Ovarian Cancer: The silent threat women must beware of… When talking about cancer in women, the names we often hear are breast cancer or cervical cancer. However, another type of cancer, “ovarian cancer,” is also a dangerous threat that women need to watch out for because it often shows no warning signs or clear symptoms. But it can be detected and prevented by having a pelvic exam or an ultrasound at least once a year.
Interesting Topics
- Factors That May Cause “Ovarian Cancer”
- Signs to Check and Monitor for “Ovarian Cancer”
- Why? Single Women Are at Risk of Ovarian Cancer
- Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer: How to Reduce Risk and Prevent It?
Factors That May Cause “Ovarian Cancer”
Ovarian cancer is a disease in women whose exact cause is still unknown. However, the following factors may increase the risk of developing the disease.
- Starting menstruation early, before the age of 12, or menopause occurring later than age 55, because if estrogen hormone is produced excessively, it may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Having family members or direct relatives with ovarian cancer or breast cancer.
- Detection of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes through blood tests, which if abnormalities are found, may increase the risk of hereditary ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
- Infertility and prolonged use of ovulation-stimulating drugs for more than 12 months.
- Having a history of breast cancer, cervical cancer, or colorectal cancer.
- Never having been pregnant or having children before.
- Having a history of endometriosis.
Warning Signs to Check and Monitor for “Ovarian Cancer”
In the early stages, ovarian cancer often does not show symptoms, but women can start to easily observe themselves as follows:
- Bloating, feeling full in the abdomen
- Swollen or hard abdomen
- Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
- Feeling a lump in the lower abdomen
- Frequent urination or urinary incontinence
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Loss of appetite or eating less
- Unexplained weight loss
If you notice any abnormalities with the above warning signs, you should see a doctor promptly for diagnosis because early-stage ovarian cancer often has no symptoms, and by the time it is detected, the cancer may have already spread.
Why? Single Women Are at Risk of Ovarian Cancer
The occurrence of ovarian cancer seems to be related to ovulation. Therefore, those who are directly at risk are women who ovulate regularly or women who have never been pregnant. When ovulation occurs, the area becomes wounded, and repeated wounds increase the risk. Also, people with a family history of cancer, whether breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or cervical cancer, may have genetic abnormalities passed down through genes, which can also be a cause of cancer.
Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
For diagnosing ovarian cancer, doctors will perform a pelvic exam and a thorough physical examination. If a lump is found on the ovary, further tests will be done to determine the appearance and characteristics of the lump by using high-frequency sound waves or ultrasound. In some cases, to assess other organs in the abdominal cavity, more detailed tests such as CT scans or MRI may be performed. Additionally, blood tests for tumor markers are required to assist in diagnosis and monitoring. Genetic blood tests (BRCA) can also help analyze risk.
Treatment methods vary depending on factors such as the stage of the disease and the patient’s current health. Doctors will evaluate symptoms and choose the appropriate treatment for each patient. Generally, there are five treatment methods for ovarian cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. If ovarian cancer is detected early, there is up to a 90% chance of cure and good treatment outcomes.
Ovarian Cancer: How to Reduce Risk and Prevent It?
Reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by taking care of yourself with simple methods, starting with regular exercise, eating meals rich in vegetables and fruits every day, and avoiding animal fats. Sometimes, consuming a lot of meat can be a contributing factor to ovarian cancer. Most importantly, do not forget to have annual health check-ups and regular pelvic exams.