Ovaries are two glandular structures that are located at the either side of the uterus. They produce female hormones and also store and release eggs that go into making a baby. An unwanted destruction of healthy cells in the ovaries leads to cancer.
Causes:
Although doctors are not quite sure as to what causes ovarian cancer, Cancer Research UK underlines certain general causes of Ovarian Cancer:
- A cause that all doctors agree on is faulty luck.
- Cancer can be inherited. Researchers believe that women whose mothers or sisters have had this cancer are exposed to a three times greater chance of developing this cancer.
- Older women who have attained Menopause tend to have greater chances of acquiring Ovarian Cancer.
- Certain lifestyle changes that tends to destroy the DNA structure can also lead to Ovarian cancer. The risk is also higher in overweight women who fail to keep a check on their diet (rich in animal fat) and even smokers.
- Breast cancer and Ovarian Cancer seem to develop from the same degenerated genes. Women who have had a history of breast cancer, stand at a greater risk than any other average woman.
- Women who find it difficult to conceive and those who have been subjected to fertility treatments may also stand at a greater risk. There is not much research to prove this although.
- Women who have been implanted with Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs) or are frequents users of contraceptive pills for birth control also have a higher risk.
Symptoms to look for:
- Pain or heaviness in the lower abdomen
- Unusual Bleeding
- Frequent Urination
- Bloating
- Painful Experience during Sex
- Irregular Menstrual Cycle
- Swollen Abdomen
Treatment:
- Chemotherapy and Radio therapy are the most common ways of treating ovarian cancer.
- You might need to undergo a surgery to remove your ovaries, fallopian tube and the cervix.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle can decrease your chances of acquiring the cancer. This includes physical activity every day, monitoring the diet which includes eating less starchy vegetables like broccoli, onions or cabbages.
Anushree Ghosh
