Ovarian Cancer Ranks Fifth in Cancers that Affect Women
According to the American Cancer Society estimated that about 15,280 women were diagnosed with Ovarian cancer within the United States during 2007. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancers that affect women and causes more fatalities than all other forms of cancer that affect women’s reproductive systems. A major reason behind the high mortality rate for ovarian cancer is the difficulty in identifying the disease that has no indicators. There is no easy or reliable technique for ovarian cancer test in women who have no symptoms or signs. Another characteristic of cancer of the ovary that makes cancer one of the most difficult to treat is that tumors can develop rapidly and rapidly spread throughout the abdomen and into other organs.
Early Signs of Ovarian Cancer
As with any cancer, the sooner the ovarian cancer is discovered and treated the higher the chance of surviving. If cancer is treated before it’s spread out of the ovary area The five-year success rate for survival rates is around 93 percent. But just 19% of Ovarian cancers are discovered in this stage, which is why all women must be familiar with the symptoms that can initially be very indistinct. This includes:
- The vagina is bleeding.
- Lower abdominal pain
- Ailment or abdominal swelling, bloating, or the sensation of being full
- Unexplained weight increase or loss
- The occasional gastrointestinal upset can be a bit sporadic, but it is persistent like nausea, gas and nausea and
- Strange changes in the bowels of a person.
- Unusual fatigue that continues to be present
Women who exhibit any of these signs, including abdominal or pelvic pain, difficulty eating, or feeling very full, and feeling the need to urinate often every day for longer than two to three weeks should immediately contact their gynecologist and arrange a pelvic examination. One of the tests for diagnosing that is available is the transvaginal ultrasound which can help determine if there are any abnormal growths or other indications of cancer within the Ovaries.
Women Must Take Annual Vaginal Examinations
Women can also be at risk of inheriting the risk to develop developing ovarian cancer. This is especially true when the direct family member (mother, father, sister, or daughter) is, or has been diagnosed with cancer of the ovarian or colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Women with a significant family history of cancer of the ovary have a higher risk to contract the disease earlier in age (before the age of 50).
Although research suggests that this cancer is most prevalent among women aged 55 and over, however, the majority of women that develop the disease are younger. Whatever age you are the most important thing that women should be aware of is that a Pap Test does not detect the presence of cancer in the ovary. At present, there isn’t any test that is reliable and accurate available. But, women must take annual vaginal examinations since the detection of abnormal swelling or tenderness may indicate more serious health issues.
The positive side is that the incidence of this dreadful cancer is decreasing. To continue to make progress in the early detection of this disease treatment options, treatments, and survival rates, women must be familiar with the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. Also, they should consult with their gynecologist for advice and concerns.