|
Cancer that begins in the ovaries or
the fallopian tubes is called ovarian cancer.
The risk of ovarian cancer rises with age.
More than 50 % of deaths due to ovarian
caner occur in women between 55 and 74,
and about a 25 % in women between 35 and
54. Ovarian cancer has been termed the ‘Silent
Killer’ even in medical textbooks
because there are no symptoms until a considerably
advanced stage of the disease. Recent studies,
however, show that though there are no symptoms
that are characteristic to ovarian cancer,
the following warning signs manifest a few
months before the cancer is detected:
- Pelvic, abdominal,
or back pain
- Weight gain
or weight loss
- Unusual vaginal
bleeding or discharge (heavy menstrual
flow or menopausal bleeding)
- Discomfort
during sex
- Frequent
or intense need to urinate; burning sensation
or spasms while urinating
- Feeling full
even though you haven’t eaten much
- Vague gastro-intestinal
problems, like gas, indigestion, loss
of appetite, bloating, nausea and vomiting,
bloody stool, prolonged constipation or
diarrhoea
- Unexplained
increase in waistline
- Shortness
of breath
- Fatigue
If you experience any of the above symptoms
over two or three weeks and if it gets worse
with time, you should get yourself tested
for ovarian cancer. As these symptoms could
be associated with any other disease or
minor ailment, it is impossible to diagnose
ovarian cancer on their merit alone. The
doctor will conduct a pelvic exam, an abdominal
or vaginal ultrasound, and a blood test
to check for the presence of CA 125. None
of these tests are conclusive in themselves.
But, a positive count on two or more of
the tests should be followed by a biopsy
(laparotomy) or a laparoscopy to rule out
or diagnose ovarian cancer.
A very small percentage
of women facing these symptoms are diagnosed
with the dreaded disease. And sometimes,
women can reach the very last stages of
cancer with no symptoms at all. The best
you can do is to maintain a healthy lifestyle
and undergo an annual examination to catch
the cancer before it metastasizes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CANCER
|
