Ovarian Cancer

Vicki Au

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women. It is diagnosed in about 23,000 women in the United States each year, and almost 14,000 women die of the disease annually.

The chances of surviving ovarian cancer are better if the cancer is found early. But because the disease is difficult to detect in its early stages, only 25% of ovarian cancers are found before the tumor growth has spread into the tissues and organs located beyond the ovaries. Most of the time, the disease has already advanced before it is diagnosed.

Women have two ovaries, one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries are each about the size of an almond. They produce ova (the egg), as well as the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer occurs when cells grow in an uncontrolled, abnormal manner, and produce tumors in one or both ovaries.

Signs and Symptoms
In its early stages, ovarian cancer is often a silent condition, producing few, if any, noticeable signs and symptoms. As a tumor grows in an ovary, it may exert pressure on your bowels, bladder and other organs located in the abdominal cavity, causing vague symptoms that are often easily confused with those of other conditions.

Many symptoms can be indications of other less serious conditions, but if they persist, they may in fact indicate ovarian cancer. It is important to consult a doctor if any or all of the following signs and symptoms are experienced:

· Abnormal abdominal swelling

· Abdominal pain

· Bloating

· Indigestion, gas or nausea

· A feeling of pressure in the pelvis

· Frequent urination

· Unexplained weight loss or gain

· A feeling of fullness, even after a light meal

· Abnormal bleeding from the vagina

· Painful intercourse

Cause
An ovarian tumor is a growth of abnormal cells that may be either non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Although benign tumors are made up of abnormal cells, these cells do not spread to other body tissues (metastasize). Malignant cells metastasize and may spread directly into other tissues, or may detach from the original tumor site and spread through the body by way of blood vessels or lymph nodes.

Prevention
Several factors appear to reduce the risks of developing ovarian cancer. They include:

- Oral contraception (birth control pills). The use of oral contraceptives can decrease a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 60%. Usage should total at least 5 years and does not have to be continuous.

- Breast-feeding and pregnancy. Giving birth to one or more children, particularly if the first child was born before the mother reaches 30 years of age, and breast-feeding, may decrease the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

- Undergoing a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Depending on the condition, the surgery may also involve the removal of organs and tissue in addition to the uterus. However, doctors caution that a woman should not have a hysterectomy done for the soul purpose of avoiding ovarian cancer. But if the hysterectomy must be performed for a valid medical reason, have a family history of ovarian or breast cancers, and are older that 40 years, it is ideal to see a doctor regarding ovary removal.

- Tubal ligation. In this surgical procedure, the fallopian tubes are tied in order to prevent pregnancy. Tubal ligation does not prevent all or even most cases of ovarian cancer. It should not be done solely to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Vicki Au is an International student currently studying at Santa Monica College