What You Should Know About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer has become a devastating, yet prominent silent killer of women. Many women are often unaware of the vague and nonspecific symptoms and have been misdiagnosed by physicians. Fortunately, in 1995, a 47 year old woman named Gail Howard who suffered from the Ovarian Cancer incorporated the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. It is the country's first comprehensive organization providing awareness and education regarding Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian Cancer is cancer that starts in the ovaries. It is the fifth most common cancer amongst women. It causes more deaths than any other type of female reproductive cancer. To date, there is no known cause, yet there are several determining factors that put a female at risk.

Women are encouraged to give birth to children earlier in life to lower risk of Ovarian Cancer. The older a woman is when she becomes pregnant and endures child birth increases gene dysfunction. It is reported that certain genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are responsible for a small number of cases. Also, women who have experienced Breast Cancer or have a family history of Breast or Ovarian Cancer have increased risk for Ovarian Cancer. Although there has been much controversy and debate regarding the use of fertility drugs; they have been identified to be associated with the increased incidents of the disease. Furthermore, links have also been connected to talc use, asbestos exposure, a high- fat diet and childhood mumps infection, yet none of these have been proven.

Research has indicated that a higher risk for Ovarian Cancer is in older women. Deaths occurring as a result of the disease account for about two thirds of women fifty- five (55) and older. About twenty- five percent of deaths occur in women thirty- five (35) to fifty- four (54) years of age. Unfortunately, by the time the cancer is diagnosed, the tumor has spread beyond the ovaries.

It is greatly important that women are made aware of this widespread disease. I have personally watched this disease rapidly control a woman's body. A friend of mine was misdiagnosed, treated for a medical problem that appears so minuet compared. She suffered immensely and eventually passed away. In her honor, it is my duty as a writer to provide women with pertinent information for awareness. However, I encourage you to continue more in depth research to obtain more insight.

Finally, these are common symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your physician immediately. Women may feel a sense of pelvic heaviness, vague lower abdominal discomfort and increased abdominal girth. Abnormal menstrual cycles and/or vaginal bleeding are also symptoms. You must be aware of non- specific gastrointestinal symptoms such as increased gas, indigestion and bloating. These are some of the more prominent signs to acknowledge that warrants a doctor's appointment. This is by no means a full list of the symptoms. Again, please do your own research for more details. It is imperative that we continue to advance of knowledge of this disease. Physicians often misdiagnose Ovarian Cancer so women must take the initiative to request the appropriate test required to successfully diagnose the crippling disease.