Being a woman is a blessing - they say. However, being a woman is also a curse, when it comes to carrying 'women only' diseases, like ovarian cancer. In Bangladesh, despite having high death tolls due to maternal causes, cancer stands alone as the highest cause of death. Till now breast and cervical cancer are the leading causes of cancer-related death of women. However, ovarian cancer is also high on the list of causing deaths. This high proportion of deaths from this disease is due to lack of undisputed screening test, presence of vague symptoms and lack of access to treatment facilities. As the standard of living increases and resources for health services improve in Bangladesh, there will be an increased need to address cancers like ovarian cancer. Any cancer treatment works best in its early stages. The majority of patients with ovarian cancer are identified in the advanced stages when the disease becomes more difficult to treat. Ovarian cancer often produces symptoms which may be confused with other less serious condition such as gastrointestinal disorders. So it is important to pay attention to your body and know what is normal for you. Symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor.
Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer: There is no way to know for sure if you will get ovarian cancer and unfortunately most women get it without being at high risk. However, several factors may increase a woman's risk for ovarian cancer, such as:
l Middle-age or older
l Being overweight
l Having at least one close family member (such as mother, sister, aunt, or grandmother), either maternal or paternal, who has had ovarian cancer
l Having an inherited faulty gene called BRCA1 or BRCA2, or one associated with Lynch syndrome.
l Having had breast, colorectal (colon), or cervical cancer, or melanoma
l Having never given birth or having had trouble getting pregnant or having infertility treatment
l Having endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body)
l Using hormone replacement therapy
l Smoking
l Diet high in fats, particularly animal fat
If one or more of these factors are true for you, it does not mean you will get ovarian cancer; but you should speak with your doctor about your risk.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian cancer may cause one or more of these signs and symptoms -
l Abdominal or pelvic pain (the area below the stomach and between the hip bones)
l Back pain
l Persistent bloating, which is when the area below the stomach swells or feels full
l Increased abdominal size or sudden change in waistline
l Feeling full quickly while eating or having eating difficulty
l Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
l A change in the bathroom habits, such as having to pass urine very badly or very often, constipation, or diarrhoea
The best way to prevent ovarian cancer is to pay attention to your body, and know what is normal or usual for you. Unfortunately, there is no simple and reliable way to screen for ovarian cancer in women who do not have any signs or symptoms. Consult a doctor if you have any of the above symptoms for two weeks or longer and they are not normal for you. Ask your doctor if you should have a diagnostic test, like a rectovaginal pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, or a CA-125 blood test. The earlier ovarian cancer is found and treated, the more likely treatment will be effective. Awareness about the risk factors, signs and symptoms, as well as your family history are all important to identify the disease sooner. Pay close attention to your body because it usually gives you early warning.
The writer is Professor of Gyne and Obs at MH Samorita Medical Hospital and College. Email: afroja_yesmin@yahoo.com
Ovarian cancer: What you need to know
Nahla Bari | Published: April 09, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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