Ovarian Cancer and Menopause : Patient Guide |
Posted: October 28, 2016 |
Ovarian Cancer and Menopause Overview Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor which develops in a woman’s ovaries and fourth leading causes of cancer deaths among women. Often it occurs in women who are older than 50 years. When found at the earliest stafes, over 90% of women treated for the ovarian cancer will live longer than 5 years. Earlier, ovarian cancer was hard to detect and most cases were found after the cancer has spread to other organs which was much harder to treat and cure. Menopause and Cancer Risk Menopause itself is not linked to higher risk to develop cancer but the rates of most cancers including ovarian cancer rises with age. Some drugs to manage the menopausal symptoms may raise or lower a person’s cancer risk. You will be at higher risk to develop ovarian cancer is you have a family history of it, have never been pregnant and are over the age of 50. As per studies, women who have had children, who breastfeed or use the birth control pills are less likely to develop this cancer. All these factors will decrease the number of times a woman ovulates and as per studies this will lower the risk of ovarian cancer. Menopause does not cause ovarian cancer but studies have linked the long-term estrogen replacement therapy for increasing the risk to cancer. Women should discuss the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with their doctors. What are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer? In its early stages, ovarian cancer has few symptoms with the first sign usually as an enlarged ovary. More advanced ovarian cancer symptoms are lower abdominal and leg pain, swollen abdomen, change in how well the bladder or bowel works, sudden weight loss or gain, swelling in the legs and nausea. How Can I protect Myself? There are no clear cut ways to prevent ovarian cancer, but you can take the following steps to lower the risk and protect yourself. Your doctor will detect the disease in its early syages and the steps are:
Diagnosis and Treatment There are no early detection tools for all women but several tests exist for women with higher risk to ovarian cancer. Doctors will monitor women with ovarian cancer symptoms, a genetic predisposition such as a BRCA mutation, a strong family history with one of the three tests of a combination of them. The doctor will ask you for blood tests, pelvic exam or the transvaginal ultrasound. They may also use a CT scan or PET scan as part of the diagnostic process. The only definitive way to diagnose ovarian cancer is through biopsy and surgery as no lab or imaging test has ever shown to diagnose ovarian cancer at its early stages. Ovarian cancer treatment will depend on a number of factors such as the stage of cancer and general health of the patient. The treatments for ovarian cancer are:
Conclusion Contact Forerunners Healthcare Consultants in India to book your low cost ovarian cancer surgery in India.
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