Millions of women experience ovarian cancer worldwide each year, as it remains one of the deadliest cancer types. The year 2024 witnessed global diagnoses of ovarian cancer in more than 3 lakh women.
The high rate of ovarian cancer diagnoses demands immediate action to develop awareness programs and prevention methods to fight this disease. The number of ovarian cancer cases continues to rise because women often experience subtle symptoms, and most lack awareness about prevention methods.
Understanding the risk factors for ovarian cancer and prevention methods for women remains essential. This blog will examine ovarian cancer prevention possibilities and include the risk factors and treatment plans for the disease. Understanding these topics helps you make well-informed choices.
Causes of Ovarian Cancer: What Leads to It?
Ovarian cancer starts as an abnormal growth within the ovaries and progresses to affect other parts of the organ as the disease develops. Understanding the fundamental causes of ovarian cancer will help you better prevent the disease and detect it early.
- Genetics: One and the most significant causes of ovarian cancer is genetic issues. The occurrence of ovarian cancer is linked to specific genetic factors present in one’s body or genetic mutations. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the primary genes associated with ovarian cancer development. Women who carry these specific genes face greater risks of developing ovarian cancer compared to those who do not.
- Family History: Having a relative who suffered from ovarian cancer in the past makes you more likely to develop the disease.
- Age: The age of a woman plays a significant role in the development of ovarian cancer. Reports show women over 50 years old face a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to their younger counterparts.
- Hormone Therapy: Hormones, too, may cause ovarian cancer. After going through menopause, women who undergo hormone replacement therapy face a higher risk.
- Lifestyle Factors: Certain lifestyle choices, too, can determine the risk of ovarian cancer. Similar to obesity and excess weight, excessive meat or alcohol consumption increases the risk of ovarian cancer.
Also Read >> Ovarian Cancer Surgery Treatment Options
Prevention: Is It Possible to Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
The exact factors causing ovarian cancer remain unknown and prevention methods remain equally uncertain. You can attempt to prevent or delay ovarian cancer through specific methods, but the effectiveness remains uncertain.
Here are some of the preventive measures to prevent ovarian cancer.
1. Genetic Testing and Preventive Surgery
Genetic testing should be your first step if you have a family member who tested positive for harmful genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 because taking additional preventive measures against ovarian cancer is more beneficial. The Genetic mutations represent one of the main elements that cause ovarian cancer. A large number of medical professionals recommend undergoing oophorectomy which involves taking out one or both ovaries to lessen ovarian cancer risk.
2. Oral Contraceptives
Research indicates that women who use oral contraceptive pills face reduced ovarian cancer risks compared to non-users. Women should take contraceptive pills for a continuous period of five years to achieve optimal protection.
3. Healthy Lifestyle
It’s important to maintain better lifestyle choices. The risk of ovarian cancer increases with overweight or obesity, so it’s essential to exercise at least 30 minutes daily to keep your body fit. In addition, eating food with high protein and fiber content is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy diet.
4. Regular Medical Checkups
There are no significant indications that could help in detecting ovarian cancer in the early stage, therefore, it’s better to have regular checkups once in a while to determine and catch ovarian cancer in the initial stage.
5. Know the Symptoms
Knowing common symptoms of ovarian cancer becomes vital for distinguishing false alarms after routine testing and lifestyle maintenance. Some of the common signs of ovarian cancer include bloating as well as pelvic pain together with difficulty eating, and frequent urination.
Screening for Ovarian Cancer: Current Methods
People unfamiliar with this fact should know that ovarian cancer is called ‘the silent killer’. The main reason for its nickname as ‘the silent killer’ is that patients misinterpret the hidden or hard-to-recognize symptoms as minor health issues, which causes treatment delays. Early detection of ovarian cancer plays a crucial role in treatment success.
People unfamiliar with this fact should know that ovarian cancer is called ‘the silent killer’. The main reason for its nickname as ‘the silent killer’ is that patients misinterpret the hidden or hard-to-recognize symptoms as minor health issue,s which causes treatment delays. Early detection of ovarian cancer plays a crucial role in treatment success.
Ovarian cancer screening methods include several techniques.
- Pelvic Test: This procedure lets doctors check for any abnormalities in the ovaries or uterus. Although pelvic examinations can assist in the detection of ovarian cancer they do not provide dependable results which leads to their general discouragement as a screening method.
- Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVUS): This procedure employs sound waves to produce images that allow doctors to examine ovarian conditions and detect abnormalities. TVUS enables the detection of ovarian cancer cells yet it lacks the ability to differentiate between cancerous and benign cells.
- CA-125 Blood Test: Doctors screen for ovarian cancer by performing a CA-125 Blood Test. A high CA-125 reading in a blood test indicates ovarian cancer in a patient. The CA-125 marker can show elevated levels for multiple reasons, including endometriosis pelvic inflammatory disease and menstrual cycles.
Treatment Options for Ovarian Cancer
When making treatment decisions for ovarian cancer patients, oncologists rely on both patient condition and disease stage to identify the most effective treatment options.
- Surgery: Removal of the tumor or ovaries.
- Chemotherapy: To kill cancer cells and prevent their spread.
- Targeted Therapy: Uses drugs to specifically target cancer cells.
- Hormone Therapy: Blocks hormones that fuel cancer growth.
- Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.
- HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy): A heated chemotherapy treatment administered during surgery. For those seeking the best HIPEC surgery in Ahmedabad, Dr. Aditi Bhatt is a leading expert in ovarian cancer treatment, known for her advanced surgical expertise and patient-centric care.
Complications of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer leads to multiple complications which become more severe during disease progression or intensive treatment. Cancer creates these complications but so do the side effects of medical treatment.
Ovarian cancer that has advanced to later stages usually has a high probability of spreading to other organ areas. Metastasis describes this spread which generally affects organs such as the liver and lungs along with the intestines among others. Ovarian cancer may result in ascites which typically causes patients to endure discomfort along with bloating, shortness of breath and reduced appetite.
Patients face a significant risk of developing inflections or blood clots following their surgical procedure.
Conclusion
Although complete prevention of ovarian cancer isn’t possible, knowledge of your risk factors combined with proactive steps lowers your risk of developing this disease.
Early detection and prevention of medical issues can be achieved through lifestyle modifications, genetic testing protocols, the use of birth control pills, and the maintenance of regular medical screening appointments. Women who have inherited risks or genetic tendencies should seek specialist advice, which can have an important impact.
Dr. Aditi Bhatt provides expert ovarian cancer care and treatment in Ahmedabad with personalized and comprehensive patient care. She is one of the best ovarian cancer doctor in Ahmedabad with vast experience that has successfully guided numerous women in their battle against ovarian cancer. When you consult a trusted specialist early, you gain the ability to manage your health and make well-informed choices about prevention and treatment options.
