Ovarian Cancer the silent killer

Ovarian Cancer

Signs and symptoms early detection is key to survival.

 

As we know the ovaries are a par of the female reproductive system, located in the lower abdominal region. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones every month  during the woman's reproductive years.

 

 Cancer of the ovaries occurs when the cells grow and divide uncontrollably, these cells may cause a tumor on the ovary or break away from the ovary causing cancer to spread throughout the whole body. 

 

Even though ovarian cancer can spread throughout the entire body, most of the time it stays in the lower region of the body affecting intestines, liver and stomach. 

There are three types of ovarian cancer:

Epithelial ovarian carcinomas

Germ cell tumors

Stromal cell tumors

The risk of a woman getting ovarian cancer is 1 in 67 while the risk of dying from ovarian cancer is 1 in 95. Ovarian cancer is the 8th most common cancer in woman, excluding skin cancer. Skin cancer is the 5th most common cause of death in woman due to cancer. The exact cause is unknown however; here are some risk factors to watch for as found in studies. These may increase your chances of developing cancer. 

Family History - 1st degree family member (Mother, sister or daughter) especially if two or more have had the disease. These cancers put you at greater risk of gene mutation Breast cancer and Colon cancer. Non-child bearing is a risk factor as well, believe this or not having more children puts you at less of a risk. 

If you yourself have had Breast cancer or colon cancer you too are at a greater risk of ovarian cancer, using Talcum powder in your lower areas, asbestos exposure, age 55plus but not always as some woman get this disease very early, fertility drugs used for Hormone Replacement Therapy, 


How is it diagnosed:


All to often this disease goes untreated or undetected because many woman has little to no symptoms until the disease is in the late stage. Here are tests used that are helpful in diagnosing.

1. Pelvis exam which is done without ultrasound which is extremely unreliable.

2. Ultrasound and Trans-vaginal ultrasound: Tumors and cysts look different with this type of test. 

3. CA-125 (California 125)  is a blood test to examine levels of CA-125 this is a cancer marker. Higher levels of this marker show up in woman with ovarian cancer as well as other cancers. 

4. Lower gastrointestinal series or barium enema.

5. CT Scan

6. Biopsy -  is the removal of the tissue to see if it's cancerous and to grade it. Usually the surgery is done at the same time. This surgery has two purposes, to remove as much of the tumor as possible and to verify without a doubt. The best prognosis is if the cancer can be completely removed. 

 

After all of this there are other treatments that will be suggested, but it depends on the type and grade and stage of the cancer. The stage and grade can not be determined until the biopsy. The main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation or a combination of all three.

I really hope this helps and please look after yourself. You matter and are loved.

Love and Light

Wandalynn Boutilier  




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