Know the Risks, Warning Signs of Ovarian Cancer

Know the Dangers, Warning Indicators of Ovarian Most cancers

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 18, 2017 (HealthDay Information) -- Girls should be conscious their danger for ovarian most cancers will increase with age. Half of all instances have an effect on girls age 63 or older, in line with specialists at Fox Chase Most cancers Middle in Philadelphia.

Nonetheless, the middle reminds all girls to concentrate on different danger elements for the illness, in addition to widespread ovarian most cancers warning indicators, similar to:

• Stomach bloating or swelling,
• Decrease stomach ache,
• Again ache,
• Bother consuming or feeling full shortly,
• Unexplained weight reduction,
• Ache throughout intercourse,
• Menstrual modifications,
• A change in rest room habits, similar to constipation, diarrhea, or having to urinate very badly or fairly often.

"Whereas these signs are widespread and could also be attributable to one thing apart from ovarian most cancers, I counsel girls to take them severely," mentioned Dr. Christina Chu, a Fox Chase gynecologic oncologist.

"A lady is aware of what's regular for her personal physique. If her signs do not appear regular and final for 2 weeks or longer, she ought to convey them to her physician's consideration," Chu mentioned in a hospital information launch.

Ovarian most cancers accounts for about three p.c of all cancers amongst girls however causes extra deaths than another most cancers involving the feminine reproductive system, the American Most cancers Society studies.

Except for older age, the middle says danger elements for ovarian most cancers embody:

• A household historical past of ovarian, breast or colon most cancers: In case your mom, sister or daughter has had ovarian most cancers, you're at larger danger for creating it. The extra kinfolk with the illness, the larger the danger.
• Inherited gene mutation: As much as 10 p.c of ovarian cancers stem from an inherited gene mutation, similar to BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. Different genetic mutations that trigger sure syndromes are additionally related to ovarian and different types of most cancers. "I counsel girls who've a household historical past of cancers, similar to breast, ovarian, colon and endometrial most cancers, to talk with their doctor relating to their historical past danger, in order that they, collectively, can decide subsequent steps," mentioned Chu.
• Reproductive historical past: Having a full-term being pregnant earlier than the age of 26 can decrease danger for the illness. The extra youngsters girls have, the decrease their danger for ovarian most cancers. Breast-feeding additionally lowers girls's danger for this sort of most cancers.
• Contraception: Utilizing contraception drugs for simply three to 6 months could assist decrease danger for ovarian most cancers. Taking them longer could additional cut back danger for the illness. This good thing about the capsule could persist for a few years after girls cease taking it.
• Hormone remedy: Hormone alternative remedy after menopause could improve danger for ovarian most cancers, notably if estrogen with out progesterone is taken for greater than 5 years.
• Different danger elements: Weight problems and breast most cancers can also elevate a girl's probabilities of creating ovarian most cancers.

-- Mary Elizabeth Dallas

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SOURCE: Fox Chase Most cancers Middle, information launch