Co-editor, Tracy E. Austin, MD
Tuesday, 05 January 2010 – 19:01 obstetricians />
A silent murderer Women
Cancer is defined as a pathological process in which cells are regulated by the body is inhibition. The cancer may be confined to the body part where it starts, or can spread (a process called metastasis.) />
Among U.S. women, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common. Among the cancers that attack the female reproductive system, is the leading cause of death. About two thirds of deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women aged 55 years or more. A quarter of deaths from ovarian cancer occur in women between 35 and 54.
Causes
The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, since the risk of developing is related to several factors. Risk factors are inherited. Women with a history of breast cancer, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and / or mutations of genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Childbirth as protection
Women who conceive their first child at an early age of the mother, have a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer. The same goes for women who have multiple births early in life to end pregnancy later in life. Women using hormonal contraceptives at low doses have also shown a protective effect which is concerned ovarian cancer. In fact, women who used oral contraceptives for 10 years had a reduction of approximately 60% risk of ovarian cancer.
symptoms
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are very specific. They are considered one of the conditions affecting the abdominal region and the gastro-intestinal tract, and pelvis. The nature of these symptoms often leads to misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer because a physician may conclude that another condition is causing your symptoms. This seems to be the rule rather than the exception. Unfortunately, when cancer is diagnosed, the tumor has often spread beyond the ovaries to several vital organs. Therefore, ovarian cancer is called the silent murderer
Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer are:.
swelling, and / or less vague abdominal discomfort, abdominal enlargement , difficulty eating normal food, and / or feeling full more quickly, abnormal menstrual cycles, pelvic or abdominal pain and urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency).
Diagnosis
The doctors can do many test to help diagnose ovarian cancer Some of the less invasive tests used are the following:.
(CBC), chemistry CA125 blood (blood) HCG (quantitative commonly called a pregnancy test in the blood), alpha-fetoprotein, abdominal radiographs / images, transvaginal ultrasound or abdominal CT.
important Note that although these tests can help make a diagnosis, none of the above tests are part of routine screening of all gynecologic cancer conditions. Ultimately, definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer will come from a biopsy, a surgical procedure to remove samples for analysis abdomen.
ovarian cancer screening
br > As you probably gathered from my personal history, the Pap test does not detect this type of cancer. In fact, the test Pap is a screening test for cervical cancer, not ovarian cancer. Qu “Is this a test? Are used to detect the disease in individuals without signs or symptoms of this disease. The intent of screening is to detect the disease early, allowing early intervention, treatment and possible cure. />
In truth, there is definitely evidence or guidelines for ovarian cancer. However, ovarian cancer is often fatal (45% live more than 5 years after metastatic disease). It is also rarely diagnosed at an early stage. Due to these factors, there was a growing body of research and debate on whether the value of the review application in the medical community is cancer of the ovary.
The projections are already underway for other gynecological cancers such as cervical cancer and breast cancer through Pap tests and mammography, respectively. In fact, if done early diagnosis of disease and treatment is received before the cancer spreads outside the ovary, the survival rate at 5 years for ovarian cancer is about 94%.
Be vigilant and proactive
Until there is specific test for ovarian cancer, it is important that all women take a proactive stance in terms of personal health . Call for an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms of ovarian cancer, or if you’re a woman over 40 with one of the above symptoms, and not having had a pelvic exam. Women age 21 years should have a routine gynecological exam every year. At the final account, the detection of ovarian cancer is mainly based on personal monitoring of the woman and her awareness of her own body.
It is possible to overcome obstacles on their own, be proactive. Women who are victims of one of the above symptoms should consult their gynecologist or request the removal of one by the family doctor. This will improve the chances of early diagnosis, leading to a better prognosis. For more information reference resources, go to http://www.smilemd.com/ob-gyn-obstetrician-gynecologist/Ovarian-Cancer.aspx