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OVARIAN CANCER
STATISTICS
- Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer in
women.
- More female deaths are caused by ovarian cancer than by any
other cancer of the reproductive system.
- Only one quarter of ovarian cancers are found before they have
spread.
- 1 out of 55 women will develop some form of ovarian cancer
in her lifetime.
CAUSATION
The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown. The greatest risk
factor is a family history of ovarian cancer. Infertility and/or
breast cancer history are also known risk factors.
SYMPTOMS
Ovarian cancer in early stages is very difficult to detect. This
is due to the location of the ovaries (deep in the pelvic region)
and the confusion of symptoms with those of other medical conditions
such as bowel or urinary tract problems. The following are some
symptoms to be aware of. You should contact your doctor if these
symptoms persist or if you experience a significant change in your
body:
- Pelvic and/or abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Feeling of fullness and/or bloating
- Unexplained weight fluctuation
- Fatigue
- Vague but continual gas, nausea and/or indigestion
- Bladder/urinary problems (i.e., frequent urination without
known infection; urgency of urination)
- Backache and/or cramps
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Pain during intercourse
If neither you nor your doctor know why you are experiencing these
symptoms, an option is to request the following tests to rule out
ovarian cancer: Recto-vaginal bimanual pelvic exam, CA-125 blood
test, and transvaginal ultrasound.
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