Posted on March 9, 2010.
- Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and causes of ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women, the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer and gynecologic malignancy most commonly diagnosed. According to the American Cancer Society, there is no real test for ovarian cancer. "Several large studies are underway to learn the best way to find ovarian cancer in its early stages." Since there is no accurate screening test, "a procedure called laparoscopic surgical exploration is generally required definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer. During this procedure, cysts or other suspicious areas must be removed and biopsied. After the incision is made, the surgeon evaluates the fluid and cells in the abdominal cavity. If the lesion is cancerous, the surgeon continues with a process called surgical staging to determine how far the cancer has spread.
Ovarian cancer is often called the "silent killer because many times there are no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. One third of American women will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime and about one and a half per cent of these cases will be cancer involving one or both ovaries.
Ovarian cancer usually occurs in women over 50 years, but it can also affect younger women. Its cause is unknown. Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect at first. The ovarian cancer is detected early and treated, the better your chances of recovery. But ovarian cancer is difficult to detect at first. Many times women with ovarian cancer have no symptoms or only mild symptoms until the disease is advanced and difficult to treat.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer
When symptoms appear, they are usually so vague that they are often ignored. The most common signs are abdominal swelling or bloating, lower abdominal pain, malaise, a feeling of fullness even after a light meal, and loss of appetite. Other complaints may include gas, indigestion, nausea and weight loss.
Symptoms may include prolonged abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, a need to urinate often, digestive problems such as indigestion, bloating, constipation, and unusual bleeding from the vagina.
Ovarian cancer can cause many signs and symptoms. Women are more likely to have symptoms if the disease has spread beyond the ovaries, cancer, but even early stage ovarian cancer may cause them
Causes of ovarian cancer
The causes of ovarian cancer remains unknown. Some researchers believe it has to do with the process of tissue repair following the monthly publication of an egg from a small tear in an ovarian follicle (ovulation) during the reproductive years of a woman. The training and sharing of new cells instead of failure may create a situation in which genetic errors occur. Others suggested that the increased hormone levels before and during ovulation may stimulate the growth of abnormal cells.
Obesity: Various studies have examined the relationship of obesity and ovarian cancer. Overall, it appears that obese women (those with a BMI of at least 30) are at greater risk of developing cancer of the ovary. A study by the American Cancer Society has also found a higher rate of death from ovarian cancer in obese women. The risk was increased 50% in the heaviest women.
The incidence of ovarian cancer increases steadily with age, most cases in women 55-75 years of age. It occurs with equal frequency in both ovaries.