What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer involves the overgrowth of cancerous cells in the ovaries, the reproductive glands found in females. Most ovarian cancers occur in the ovaries, but there are also cases where the cancer cells are found in the fallopian tubes.
Causes
To this day there still is no direct cause for ovarian cancer. But scientists and physicians have found certain risk factors that can increase the probability of developing ovarian cancer. These will be discussed next.
Symptoms
Symptoms will be stronger once cancer has spread, but there are symptoms while in the early stage of cancer. Below is a list of some of those symptoms:
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Constipation
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Constant bloating
- Urinary incontinence
- Extreme fatigue
Risk factors
Many ovarian cancers develop after menopause. It’s common for ovarian cancers to affect mostly women 40 years of age and older. For women who are medicated with hormones due to menopause, the risks of developing ovarian cancer increase slightly. If there is a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer then the risks are increased as well. There are also some women who have had breast cancer and developed ovarian cancer.
Prevention
Although there is no absolute way of preventing cancer, getting routine check-ups and screenings will help in reducing the risk of developing cancer. Partaking in daily physical activity, eating wholesome balanced nutrition, and managing stress are some other simple ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and minimize the risks of cancer attacking the body.
