Ovarian cancer. I know its kind of a weird thing to be scared of, especially since there's so much you can do to prevent it.
Now some people make the assumption that Ovarian Cancer and Cervical Cancer are the same thing. Wrong. National Cancer Institute defines ovarian cancer as "Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells)." While cervical cancer is "cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina). It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests (a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope). Cervical cancer is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection."
I've discovered that in the recent years, even with all of the publicity on cancer (case and point: SU2C), that this particular type of cancer isn't very well known except to those who have been touched by it. Well, consider this a 'Ms Wilson Sees It' health report:
I.) Understanding it
It's important to understand how cancer works. It begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer and are rarely life-threatening. Generally, they can be removed and they usually do not grow back. Benign tumors do not invade the tissues around them and cells from them do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancer. They're generally more serious than benign tumors, and may be life-threatening. They often can be removed, but sometimes they grow back. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs, and cells from them can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells spread by breaking away from the original (primary) tumor and entering the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The cells invade other organs and form new tumors that damage these organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Sometimes this disease makes itself known by Benign and Malignant Cysts. An ovarian cyst may be found on the surface of an ovary or inside it. A cyst contains fluid. Sometimes it contains solid tissue too. Most ovarian cysts are benign and go away with time. Sometimes, a doctor will find a cyst that does not go away or that gets larger; the doctor may order tests to make sure that the cyst is not cancer.
Ovarian cancer can invade, shed, or spread to other organs. A malignant ovarian tumor can grow and invade organs next to the ovaries, such as the fallopian tubes and uterus. Cancer cells can shed (break off) from the main ovarian tumor. Shedding into the abdomen may lead to new tumors forming on the surface of nearby organs and tissues. The doctor may call these seeds or implants. Cancer cells can spread through the lymphatic system to lymph nodes in the pelvis, abdomen, and chest. Cancer cells may also spread through the bloodstream to organs such as the liver and lungs.
II.) Risk Factors
Doctors cant always explain why one woman develops ovarian cancer and another doesn't. However, we do know that women with certain risk factors may be more likely than others to develop ovarian cancer. Here are just a few listed by NCI:
1.) Family history of cancer: Women who have a mother, daughter, or sister with ovarian cancer have an increased risk of the disease. Also, women with a family history of cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum may also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. If several women in a family have ovarian or breast cancer, especially at a young age, this is considered a strong family history. If you have a strong family history of ovarian or breast cancer, you may wish to talk to a genetic counselor. The counselor may suggest genetic testing for you and the women in your family. Genetic tests can sometimes show the presence of specific gene changes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
2.) Personal history of cancer: Women who have had cancer of the breast, uterus, colon, or rectum have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.
3.) Age over 55: Most women are over age 55 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Though cases have been diagnosed as young as 25-30. My mother was diagnosed with the disease at 41.
4.) Never pregnant: Older women who have never been pregnant have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
5.) Menopausal hormone therapy: Some studies have suggested that women who take estrogen by itself (estrogen without progesterone) for 10 or more years may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Scientists have also studied whether taking certain fertility drugs, using talcum powder, or being obese are risk factors. It is not clear whether these are risk factors, but if they are, they are not strong risk factors. Now having a risk factor does not mean that a woman will get ovarian cancer. Most women who have risk factors don't get it. On the other hand, women who do get the disease often have no known risk factors, except for growing older. Women who think they may be at risk of ovarian cancer should talk with their doctor.
III.) Symptoms
This cancer is literally like an assassin, you don't really know its there until its much too late. Plus, it's sometimes extremely difficult for doctors to find. Early ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms. But, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include:
* Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back, or legs
* A swollen or bloated abdomen
* Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
* Feeling very tired all the time
Less common symptoms include:
* Shortness of breath
* Feeling the need to urinate often
* Unusual vaginal bleeding (heavy periods, or bleeding after menopause)
Most often these symptoms are not due to cancer, but only a doctor can tell for sure. Air on the extreme side of caution, its better to be slightly paranoid than to not do anything at all. If you're not sure about something, contact your doctor. Chances are they are going to be glad you did.
IV.) Stages
The stage is based on whether the tumor has invaded nearby tissues, whether the cancer has spread, and if so, to what parts of the body. Usually, surgery is needed before staging can be complete. The surgeon takes many samples of tissue from the pelvis and abdomen to look for cancer. There are four stages in ovarian cancer:
* Stage I: Cancer cells are found in one or both ovaries. Cancer cells may be found on the surface of the ovaries or in fluid collected from the abdomen.
* Stage II: Cancer cells have spread from one or both ovaries to other tissues in the pelvis. Cancer cells are found on the fallopian tubes, the uterus, or other tissues in the pelvis. Cancer cells may be found in fluid collected from the abdomen.
* Stage III: Cancer cells have spread to tissues outside the pelvis or to the regional lymph nodes. Cancer cells may be found on the outside of the liver.
* Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread to tissues outside the abdomen and pelvis. Cancer cells may be found inside the liver, in the lungs, or in other organs.
So that's the basic gist of the disease. Now you may be wondering why I'm so passionate about getting the word out about this. Why is anyone passionate about something like disease awareness? Because they've been touched by it. My mother was diagnosed with it back in 2001, and lost her battle with it 3 weeks after her diagnosis. Now I'm constantly making sure that I get my checkups, and I'm very aware of my body and its functions.
So ladies, be very aware of your body. If you think something's not quite right, then GET IT CHECKED OUT. Don't let it go, or ignore it. You won't be the only one touched by this disease, you mean something to someone. You're someone's daughter, mother, aunt, sister, niece or best friend. Don't leave them behind if you can help it.
At least that's how I see it.
Websites:
NCI's Booklet on Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer.org
OVACOME
Stand Up 2 Cancer
New Treatment Article by The London Evening Standard
Genetic Cancer Risks by the Santa Monica Daily Press
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