5 things women should know about ovarian cancer

1. Ovarian cancer is not a silent killer

Most women with ovarian cancer experience at least one symptom of the disease in the year prior to their diagnosis.

Abdominal bloating, abdominal or back pain, appetite loss or feeling full quickly, changes in toilet habits, unexplained weight loss or gain, indigestion or heartburn and fatigue can all be signs of ovarian cancer. While these symptoms can be part of everyday life, it’s important to see your doctor if they are unusual for you and they persist.

2. There’s no screening test for ovarian cancer

A Pap test doesn’t detect ovarian cancer. It’s only used to screen for cervical cancer.
You may also have heard of a CA125 blood test for ovarian cancer. This test looks for increased levels of the CA125 protein which may indicate that ovarian cancer is present. However, there are many factors that can affect CA125 levels including menstruation. For this reason, the CA125 test alone cannot be used as a screening or diagnostic test.

3. Even if you don’t have a family history of ovarian cancer, you are still at risk

While having a family history of ovarian cancer increases your risk, 90–95% of all ovarian cancers occur in women who do not have a family history.

Ovarian cancer can occur in any woman but the risk increases in women over 50 years of age.

4. It’s important to be referred to a gynaecological oncologist

If you’re suspected of having ovarian cancer, you should be referred to a gynaecological oncologist. Research shows survival for women with ovarian cancer is improved when their surgical care is directed by a gynaecological oncologist.

5. No one knows your body like you do

Since there’s no screening test for ovarian cancer, the best thing you can do is get to know your body and what is normal for you so you can recognise any unusual changes.

If you experience any of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and they are unusual for you and persistent, it’s important to see your doctor. If you are still concerned about a persistent symptom, it’s OK to get a second opinion. Trust your instincts.

Comments

"Hard nipples" - areola or nipple skin

Someone once wrote"... when i get really cold, or get goosebumbs all over my body, the whole things really scrunch up, like, my entire areola scrunches itself up into a wrinkled little mound. it looks really weird and ugly, and i haven't ever seen other people's breasts do it. what is wrong with my areola/nipples??" The answer: Well nothing is wrong. This is what my areola does too. It's a normal reaction to the coldness or to irritation / stimulation. The little muscles in the areola do a similar goosebump thing as your other skin can do. People often call this phenomenon "hard nipples". Also note that skin on areola has less feeling or sensation to it than other areas of your body. If the areola was very sensitive, then breastfeeding would probably be quite uncomfortable because the baby pulls and tugs it! The nipples are sensitive but the sensitivity changes with hormonal changes, such as occur at mestrual cycle or pregnancy. Also this v...

Monumental cleavage alert! Did Natalie Portman get a boob job?

Black Swan Oscar winner Natalie Portman has sparked feverish debate about whether or not she's had a boob job, after she appeared on camera at an American football game looking bustier than before. The 31-year-old, who gave birth to son Aleph in June 2011, was watching the game in Austin, Texas during a break from shooting the as-yet-untitled new Terrence Malick film. With co-star Michael Fassbender by her side, a newly blonde Natalie was spotted by the cameras during the ABC broadcast. While it could very well be a push-up bra, or a consequence of breast-feeding her bub, Twitter fans immediately speculated about the star's potentially enhanced assets. "Natalie Portman @ the Texas-Baylor game ... boob job? Looks like it!" one user wrote. "Wait a second, did Natalie Portman get a boob job? Is she pregnant? On the sidelines of Texas game and #wow," another tweeted. Comments on the YouTube clip ran along the same lines, albeit many of them ...

Ground breaking cancer Carctol Capsule in India with Dr.Vipin Tiwari

Sharing is caring and also very important to keep up with what’s happening in the world. Cancer news we see everyday! This is something I am very very excited about : Changing the future and also saving lives. Sound too good to be true well it’s not the research that has gone into this product is brilliant. Please check out Dr.Vipin Tiwari he is working in India. I was really happy he contacted me to share this product. So I want to share it also with you all. The mission: MISSION "Our mission is to offer products as well as services of the highest professional standards in order to make the whole world Cancer Free." The people at Dr. Nandlal Tiwari Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. are focused on researching the power of ayurveda, bring up natural medicines & therapies and spread it all over the world for the benfit of mankind. We work hard to bring smiles on hopeless patients of Cancer. With successful records in past and dedication of our employees we are con...

I am still a woman - Confessions of a twice cancer survivor - my journey by Nina Ann McCurley

Search This Blog