September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
September is ovarian cancer awareness month. Ovarian cancer affects thousands of women worldwide-it could be your mother, sister, daughter, wife, friend or you. It is important to be aware and knowledgeable about all cancers, especially those that we so often do not discuss.
The causes of ovarian cancer currently remain unknown. There are factors which can be associated with a higher risk of getting ovarian cancer but doctors have yet to pinpoint exactly what brings upon this terrible disease. Heredity is thought to be a large factor with most cancers, including this kind. Specific ethnic groups such as Jews are more likely to suffer from ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Fertility treatments may also increase the risk ovarian cancer. Alternatively, taking the pill for a long period of time decreases a woman’s risk for cancer of the ovaries.
The scary fact about ovarian cancer is that it is highly undetectable. In most cases women do not know they have it until it is too late and has reached an advanced stage or spread to other parts of the body. Because its symptoms quite often mimic other ailments, it most often goes undiagnosed. Symptoms include pelvic pain, cramps, bloating, backache, loss of appetite, weight loss or weight gain, pain during sex, and fatigue. The symptoms are all quite general and may also be a symptom of many other conditions. Unfortunately no reliable screening yet exists for ovarian cancer which makes doctors even have a hard time detecting it.
If a doctor thinks that a woman has ovarian cancer he will likely perform a pelvic exam. They can also use a CT scan or ultrasound to create a picture of the pelvis and abdomen to assess if anything is wrong. If it is suspected that the patient does have ovarian cancer the doctors will then take a sample of abdominal fluid, or a biopsy of the tumor if it can be located. Although ovarian cancer is currently unpreventable, woman should continue to monitor their health and have yearly check ups with their doctor to make sure they are healthy. Woman who have a family history of cancer may also opt to remove their ovaries in order to prevent its onset.
Your Comments
Got an Opinion?
Nutrition & Health Guide
Learn how to shed pounds and lead a healthy and nutritious lifestyle with Astro Nutrition's acclaimed Weight Loss Tips. Get your FREE copy of the Astro Easy Weight Loss eBook by signing up.
Recent Tweets
- Snacks in particular can be made in advance as a means of keeping you from overindulging... http://t.co/hT1aHtBb 7 weeks 4 days ago
- For weight loss, primrose oil also has much to offer... http://t.co/WNzsseLl 8 weeks 1 day ago
- For those seeking to maintain lean muscle mass and to build muscle bulk, Glutamine is a perfect supplement... http://t.co/Vfq3wH98 8 weeks 2 days ago
Top Commentators
- Brian Kinkade (8)
- Bill Leighty (8)
- Michelle (8)
- Debbie Drummond (8)
- Kevin Koitz (8)
- Erica (7)
- Nancy Braun (5)
- Robert Doebler (5)
- Michelle Sterling (5)
- Dennis DeSouza (5)
Foodie Blog Roll