Healthy Tips For Better Live

Archive for the ‘Cancer’ Category

It is important for women to educate themselves about ovarian cancer and the risk factors for this disease. In the past, the belief was that this condition would strike without symptoms. But now the medical community is aware of the early warning signs. Women can protect themselves and dramatically increase their chances of surviving this disease by paying attention to their bodies and by knowing the symptoms.

This form of cancer is more prevalent than once thought. Recent estimates suggest that one out of every 55 American women will develop the disease. The reason that it takes the lives of so many women is they do not detect the symptoms during the early stages. Often, they find out that they have it when the chances for survival are slim.

During the early stages of ovarian cancer, a woman’s ovary contains cancerous cells that begin multiplying abnormally. At this time, there are some warning signs. However, these symptoms are often dismissed as being normal feminine conditions such as menstrual cramps.

The early symptoms include pain in the pelvic region, rapid weight gain or loss, and pain during sexual intercourse. Other warning signs are a lack of energy, nausea, unusually heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle, or extremely long periods.

A woman may experience one or more of these indicators. Anyone who experiences these symptoms for an extended amount of time should see a physician in order to find out if the discomforts are caused by the early stages of cancer. This is especially important if the symptoms last for more than one week.

A physician will do a biopsy along with a pelvic examination on a woman who may be experiencing the early symptoms of ovarian cancer. This will help determine if there are any abnormalities or cancerous or pre-cancerous cells. It will also reveal if treatment is necessary and which type of medication would be best in order to prevent the problem from advancing.

Detecting the disease during the early stages dramatically increases the chances that a patient can be cured. Unfortunately, many women do not become aware of their condition until it has progressed to the stages. By this time, it may have spread to other areas of the body, which lowers the chances for survival.

Have you ever wondered what is ovarian cancer? Basically, cancer in the ovaries is one form of cancer which starts in the ovaries and is common to the female population. The ovaries are the reproductive organs of women that produce eggs necessary for reproduction. The eggs then pass through the fallopian tubes and travel through the uterus where fertilization of eggs does occur. Ovaries are the major source of female hormones too like the progesterone and the estrogen. Thus, it is quite safe to state that the ovaries are an essential part of the female’s reproductive system.

However, many tumors can develop in the ovaries which can later on lead to cancer in the ovaries. This sort of cancer is actually believed to be a silent killer because its early symptoms are most of the time misdiagnosed. So, to answer directly the question, what is ovarian cancer, you have to be really aware first on its symptoms. As a matter of fact, the typical symptoms of the cancer in the ovaries are abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, back pain, bladder disorder, constipation, digestive problems, fatigue, leg pain, nausea, pelvic pain, poor appetite, shortness of breath, abnormal bleeding from the vagina, and weight loss. If you have noticed that you are experiencing these symptoms then, it would be a great idea to consider seeing a doctor and letting him or her check your present medical condition right away.

Answering the simple question, what is ovarian cancer, does not actually end in being familiar with its symptoms. You should also know how to treat such kind of health problem. If truth be told, there are several effective ways on how you can treat cancer in the ovaries. Some of these are through the intraperitoneal chemotherapy, systematic chemotherapy, and local therapies. The intraperitoneal chemotherapy refers to a chemotherapy which involves the use of a thin tube to destroy cancerous cells in the abdomen or pelvis. The systematic chemotherapy on the other hand involves the injection of the drugs into the bloodstream to totally eliminate the cancer all over the body. Moreover, local therapies such as radiation therapy and cancer surgical procedures are also an efficient ovarian cancer treatment. These therapies can remove ovarian cancer specifically located in the pelvis as well as can control the spread of the cancer in other parts of the body.

Cancer in the ovaries is indeed a terrifying health issue which needs not to be ignored. Hence, you truly have to be aware on its real nature like its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Awareness on its nature can bring without a doubt to a close your wondering as to what is ovarian cancer. After all, there are by now loads of facts about cancer in the ovaries which can be found online.

Even though September is the ‘official’ month for ovarian cancer awareness, women of all ages need to be known about the disease. That’s right… women of all ages. Why would ovarian cancer awareness matter for women who are not at the age for which there is a greater risk for getting the disease? Well, first of all there are pre-menopausal women who get ovarian cancer, though such a situation is not as common. Secondly, with proper ovarian cancer awareness, a young woman can make lifestyle choices that may help decrease her chances of getting the disease later on in the future.

So, what are some issues that should be of concern when it comes to ovarian cancer awareness? Well, the first element to proper ovarian cancer awareness involves the preventative measures a woman can take to reduce the her risk of developing the condition. These preventative measures include: having babies in one’s 20s, breastfeeding, taking birth control pills, avoiding talcum powder both on oneself and when changing a baby’s diaper and eating a healthy diet with a limited number of saturated fats and dairy products. Women who are at greater risk can also consider getting their ovaries removed or getting a hysterectomy when they get elderly.

The next are of concern when it comes to ovarian cancer awareness involves educating women of the symptoms associated with the condition. These symptoms involve urinary incontinence and abdominal pain in the disease’s very early stages. As it progresses these symptoms will become worse and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as increased abdominal girth, digestive problems, post-menopausal bleeding and painful sex. By knowing these symptoms, (which tend to be mistaken for other less serious conditions), women can at least consider the possibility that they may be suffering from ovarian cancer.

The final element of ovarian cancer awareness should involve giving a voice to the women that do have the disease. Too often in ovarian cancer awareness campaigns so much emphasis is placed on preventing the disease or even diagnosing the disease that the women who actually have the condition are forgotten. These women should be encouraged to speak about their condition, so other women who have it can develop strategies for which they can better deal with living with such a deadly illness.

So, how can a woman increase ovarian cancer awareness? She can make a donation to any ovarian cancer awareness causes as well as participate in any fundraisers such organizations might be having. A common fundraiser could be a walkathon. Additionally, women who already have ovarian cancer can increase awareness by writing about their condition on message boards or on networks that accept articles from individuals. She can also consider starting a website or a blog about her condition, so the world can know that even if you are unfortunate enough to get the disease, it doesn’t mean your life has to end. All in all if ovarian cancer awareness is going to be successful, both ovarian cancer sufferers and women who are not at risk need to find ways to contribute to such causes.

The American Cancer Society estimated that approximately 15,280 women died from ovarian cancer in the United States during 2007. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth among cancers in women, and accounts for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Part of the reason for ovarian cancer’s high mortality rate is the difficulty in diagnosing a disease with few warning signs. Another aspect of ovarian cancer that makes the disease one of the most challenging to treat is the fact that tumors can grow quickly, and aggressively spread through the abdomen to other organs.

Like any cancer, the sooner ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better a woman’s chances of survival. If the cancer can be treated before it has spread outside the ovary, the five year survival rate is 93%. However, only 19% of all ovarian cancers are found at this stage, so it is crucial that women of all ages are familiar with symptoms, which can initially be quite vague. These include:
Bleeding from the vagina Pain in the lower abdomen Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating, and/or a feeling of fullness Unexplained weight gain or loss Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion Unexplained changes in bowel habits Ongoing unusual fatigue

Women who experience any of these symptoms, but particularly bloating , pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full very quickly, and having the urge to urinate frequently on a daily basis for more than two or three weeks, should contact her gynecologist immediately and schedule a pelvic exam. One of the diagnostic tests available is the transvaginal ultrasound, which helps determine whether there are abnormal growths present or other signs of cancer in the ovaries.

A woman can also inherit an increased risk of ovarian cancer. This is particularly true if a direct relative (mother, father, sister, or daughter) has, or has had ovarian, breast, colon, or prostate cancer. Women with a strong family history of ovarian cancer are more likely to develop the disease at a younger age (prior to 50).

While statistics indicate ovarian cancer mainly occurs in women 55 or older, one third of women who develop this disease are much younger. Regardless of age, one thing for all women to keep in mind is that a Pap Test does not detect ovarian cancer. Currently, there are no reliable, accurate screening tests in existence. However, women should still have annual vaginal exams, as the detection of abnormal swelling or tenderness can be an indication of more serious problems.

Two of the diagnostic tests available are generally used with women having a higher risk of ovarian cancer. The transvaginal sonography or ultrasound (discussed above) is an ultrasound performed with a small instrument placed in the vagina. The second test involves blood work to determine if the level of a tumor marker called CA-125 has increased in the blood. Again, this test is primarily used with women at high risk or who have had an abnormal pelvic exam.

The good news is that rates of this terrible disease are declining. But, to continue making strides in early detection, treatment options, and survival rates, all women need to familiarize themselves with the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer and consult their gynecologist and discuss concerns.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, there are numerous organizations committed to eradicating the disease. These organizations also provide education on treatment and prevention, resources such as support groups, and information on the latest research. Here are some of the most well known:

Gynecologic Cancer Foundation – Established in 1991 by the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO), the mission of GCF is to promote public awareness about the prevention, early detection, and treatment of gynecologic cancers.

www.thegcf.org

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – Their mission is to raise awareness and promote education about ovarian cancer. The site offers state chapters, breaking news, support and services, clinical trails, and resources.

www.ovarian.org

National Cancer Institute – This organization is under the umbrella of the U.S. National Institute of Health. The site provides extensive information on treatment, prevention and causes, clinical trials, and research.

www.cancer.gov

American Cancer Society – The ACS is a community-based, voluntary organization with chapters throughout the United States. The mission of the ACS is to prevent cancer and save lives.

www.cancer.org

What are the early warning signs of ovarian cancer? This is a very difficult question to answer, because while there are symptoms in the beginning stages of the disease, they tend to be so mild that both the woman herself and her doctors may not think the symptoms are indicative of ovarian cancer. This is particularly the case if the woman doesn’t have ovarian cancer in her family’s history. Yet, it’s still helpful if women are at least aware of the most common signs of ovarian cancer. By knowing what the symptoms are, she may not discredit the possibility of ovarian cancer, especially if they get worse in a relatively short period of time. This article will help women obtain this knowledge by explaining in detail the two main warning signs: abdominal pain and urinary incontinence.

Abdominal Pain

The first sign of ovarian cancer that you should look out for is abdominal pain. This is due to the ovarian tumors attacking the abdomen, resulting in fluid build-up that puts pressure on the nerves. Yet, the pain may not feel much different than what a woman gets if she has a tummy ache or even bad gas. So, the key is going to be how long the abdominal pain lasts. Tummy aches and gas usually don’t last too long, especially when the source of what is causing the problem gets taken care of. The abdominal pain will be chronic and worsen over time. In the latter stages of ovarian cancer, the pain will be accompanied with abdominal girth and digestive problems.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is also a very common symptom of ovarian cancer. This is when a woman has an abnormal urge to urinate more than normal. When she does go to the bathroom, she may or may not actually urinate. Sometimes a woman may even leak urine even if she has gone to the bathroom. Now, incontinence is a much more significant than abdominal pain, so it may prompt a woman to seek at least a check-up. However, even the gynecologist may not realise what the problem is. This is because urinary incontinence can be a symptom of other diseases, some of which aren’t even serious. An example is a urinary tract infection, a condition that can easily be treated with antibiotics. Yet, if the urinary tract infection is really indicative of ovarian cancer, antibiotics will not get it to go away.

So, what does a woman do if she exhibits any of the early warning signs of ovarian cancer? She needs to go to the doctor and let them know she has concerns over whether or not her symptoms are a result of the condition. The doctor will evaluate whether or not she is at high risk for the disease. If she is the doctor will probably suggest ovarian cancer screening. If she isn’t the doctor will probably wait to see if the symptoms progress before suggesting any official screening. The reason this is the case is because women who are not at high risk for ovarian cancer tend to get misdiagnosed when they get ovarian cancer screening. Doctors want to avoid the possibility of a woman getting unnecessary ovarian cancer treatment.

Women have two ovaries in their lower abdomen, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries are part of the reproduction system. There are two jobs that ovaries do; they produce hormones (estrogen and progesterone), and they release eggs that travel down the fallopian tubes to the uterus.

Ovarian cysts can be found on the outer surface of an ovary or inside it. An ovarian cyst contains fluid, and it can also contain solid matter. It is very important to know that most ovarian cysts are NOT cancer. They are benign cysts that will go away all by themselves over time.

When a doctor finds a cyst on an ovary, he will not rush the patient into an emergency surgery. MOST OVARIAN CYSTS ARE BENIGN! He will watch the cyst over a period of time, and if the cyst doesn’t shrink and go away, or if the cyst gets larger, the doctor will then order tests to determine whether the cyst is in fact a problem.

Ovarian cancer cells can invade all parts of a woman’s reproductive system. It can invade the fallopian tubes and the uterus as well as the ovaries. Ovarian cancer cells are sometimes shed from the original tumor. They shed cells can cause new tumors to form in the abdomen. Ovarian cancer cells can also spread cancer through the lymphatic system to lymph nodes in the pelvis, abdomen, and chest.

Family history seems to be the largest risk factor. Women who have a mother, a daughter, or a sister who has had ovarian cancer are at a much greater risk for developing ovarian cancer than the rest of the population. Women who have a family history of cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum may also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

The best policy for women is to have regular physical exams. If there is a family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or cancer of the uterus, colon, or rectum, it is important to tell your doctor about your family history.