Ovarian Cancer : Prevention & Treatment

Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious health issues that women face today. Its silent nature makes it difficult to detect early on, resulting in a higher mortality rate. However, with increased awareness, proactive measures, and advancements in treatment options, there is hope in the fight against this illness. In this blog, we will look at ovarian cancer prevention strategies and the most up-to-date treatments.

Understanding Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the development of cells in the ovaries. The cells multiply rapidly, allowing them to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. The female reproductive system consists of two ovaries on either side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size of an almond and produces eggs (ova) and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Ovarian cancer treatment typically entails surgery and chemotherapy.

Symptoms

When ovarian cancer first develops, it may not produce any noticeable symptoms. When ovarian cancer symptoms appear, they are typically attributed to other, more common conditions.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling.
• Quickly feeling full after eating
• Weight loss.
• discomfort in the pelvis
• Fatigue
• Back pain.
• Constipation and other changes in bowel habits
• A frequent need to urinate

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms that concern you.

Prevention Strategies:

While some risk factors for ovarian cancer, such as genetics and age, cannot be changed, there are several preventive measures women can take to reduce their risk:

1. Regular Health Checkups: Schedule regular gynecological exams and discuss your family history of cancer with your doctor. Early detection is critical for successful treatment.
2. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limit alcohol consumption, and quit smoking. These lifestyle choices can reduce your risk of developing several cancers, including ovarian cancer.
3. Oral Contraceptives: Long-term use of oral contraceptives has been linked to a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Speak with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of birth control pills.
4. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Pregnancy and breastfeeding are associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer. While these factors may not apply to all women, they do highlight the complex relationship between reproductive health and cancer risk.
5. Genetic Counseling and Testing: If you have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, you should seek genetic counseling and testing for BRCA gene mutations. Knowing your genetic risk allows you to make more informed preventive and screening decisions.

Tests and procedures used to diagnose ovarian cancer include:

• Pelvic examination: During a pelvic exam, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina while pressing one hand on your abdomen to palpate your pelvic organs. The doctor will also visually examine your external genitalia, vagina, and cervix.
• Imaging tests: Ultrasound or CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis can help determine your ovaries’ size, shape, and structure.
• Blood tests: Blood tests may include organ function tests, which can help determine your overall health. Your doctor may also check your blood for tumor markers that indicate ovarian cancer.
• Surgery: Your doctor may not be able to make a definitive diagnosis until you have surgery to remove an ovary and have it tested for cancer.
• Genetic testing: Your doctor may recommend that you have a blood sample tested for gene changes that increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer. Knowing you have an inherited DNA change allows your doctor to make an informed decision about your treatment plan.

Once it’s confirmed that you have ovarian cancer, your doctor will use information from your tests and procedures to assign your cancer a stage.

Treatment

Treatment of ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Other treatments may be used in certain situations.

Surgery

Treatment options for ovarian cancer include surgery to remove one ovary.

• Surgery may be required to remove the affected ovary and its fallopian tube if the cancer is in its early stages and has not spread beyond one. This procedure may preserve your ability to bear children.
• Surgery to remove both ovaries. If cancer is found in both of your ovaries but there is no evidence of additional cancer, your surgeon may remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes. This procedure does not damage your uterus, so you may still be able to conceive using frozen embryos or eggs or with donor eggs.
• Surgery to remove both ovaries and uterus. Suppose your cancer is more advanced, or you do not want to be able to have children. In that case, your surgeon will remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, nearby lymph nodes, and a fold of fatty abdominal tissue called the omentum.
• Surgery to treat advanced cancer. If your cancer is advanced, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove as much of it as possible. In this case, chemotherapy may be administered before or following surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that employs chemicals to eliminate rapidly growing cells in the body, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be administered intravenously or orally. Chemotherapy is frequently used following surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may remain. It can also be used before surgery. In some cases, chemotherapy drugs can be heated and injected into the abdomen during surgery (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). The drugs are left in place for a specific amount of time before being drained. The operation will then be completed.

Targeted therapy

Targeted drug treatments target specific weaknesses found in cancer cells. Targeted drug treatments can potentially kill cancer cells by attacking their weaknesses.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy employs drugs to inhibit the effects of the hormone estrogen on ovarian cancer cells. Some ovarian cancer cells rely on estrogen to grow, so blocking estrogen may help control cancer.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses the immune system to fight cancer. The body’s disease-fighting immune system may not attack cancer cells because they produce proteins that allow them to hide from immune cells.

Conclusion

Ovarian cancer is a severe health concern for women, but it is possible to effectively manage the disease by implementing preventive strategies and staying informed about treatment options. Remember to prioritize your health. Early detection, advanced treatments, and ongoing research efforts provide hope for a better future in the fight against ovarian cancer.