Introduction
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women in the United States. While it’s clear that there are many potential causes of ovarian cancer, there are things women can do to lower their personal risk. Here’s what you need to know about ovarian and uterine cancers:
Women’s Health Alert: Understanding Ovarian and Uuterine Cancer Risks
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that affects the ovaries. Ovaries are part of the female reproductive system, and they produce eggs as well as hormones. Say’s Dr Scott Kamelle, ovarian cancer can develop in any of the cells that make up your ovaries, but most types start in the tissue covering them (stroma).
The exact cause of ovarian cancer isn’t known and it’s not clear whether or not there are specific risk factors for developing it. However, certain things may increase your chances:
- being over 50 years old
- having had an early menopause (before age 45) or late puberty (between ages 15-19)
- having certain changes on your genes related to breast cancer (BRCA1/2 mutation)
Ovarian and uterine cancers are two of the most challenging types of cancers to detect early, because they rarely have symptoms until they are at an advanced stage. It is therefore crucial that you know what your family history is and take steps to lower your risk by being proactive.
Ovarian and uterine cancers are two of the most challenging types of cancers to detect early, because they rarely have symptoms until they are at an advanced stage. It is therefore crucial that you know what your family history is and take steps to lower your risk by being proactive.
If you or someone in your family has had ovarian or uterine cancer, then it’s important to speak with a doctor about ways that could reduce the likelihood of developing these diseases yourself. You may also want to consider genetic testing if there was no known cause for the cancer in question–this way, any genetic mutations can be identified before they cause trouble down the line!
What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the ovaries. It’s the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers, with about 20,000 women dying every year in the United States alone. Ovarian cancer often has no symptoms at first and can be diagnosed in its later stages, when treatment options are limited.
Ovarian cancer begins in the cells on or within the ovaries (the female reproductive organs). The ovaries produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The ovaries also produce eggs that may fertilize and result in pregnancy.
Ovarian cancer begins in the cells on or within the ovaries (the female reproductive organs). The ovaries produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The ovaries also produce eggs that may fertilize and result in pregnancy.
The most common type of ovarian cancer is epithelial carcinoma, which starts in the lining of an organ or gland. Epithelial cancers make up about 90% of all ovarian tumors and are further divided into serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell, Brenner-like subtypes based on their appearance under a microscope when examined by pathologists during surgery or biopsy procedures.
The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer include feeling bloated after eating; abdominal pain that gets worse after eating certain foods; nausea with vomiting; pain during intercourse; frequent urination at night time due to urinary frequency caused by pressure from enlarged abdominal lymph nodes pressing against them inside abdomen cavity; loss weight despite appetite being fine because food doesn’t taste good anymore due to chemotherapy side effects including loss taste buds sensation
What Causes Ovarian Cancer?
- Genetics. You may be at a higher risk if you have a family history of ovarian or uterine cancer, and if you are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
- Age. Most women develop ovarian cancer after menopause, but some younger women can also be affected. The average age at diagnosis is 64 years old, but it can occur as early as 40 years old or as late as 80 years old (the oldest woman ever diagnosed with ovarian cancer was 92).
- Race/ethnicity. African-American women have about double the risk for developing ovarian cancer compared to Caucasian Americans; however, Asian women have only half the risk compared with Caucasians.* Family history: Women who have a mother or sister who had breast cancer before age 50 may also be at increased risk for developing ovarian cancer.* Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Taking estrogen alone increases your chance of getting this disease by up to 50 percent over not taking any hormones at all–but taking estrogen plus progesterone has been shown not only to reduce breast density but also lower your chances of developing both breast and endometrial cancers.* Type of menopause: If you experience natural menopause rather than surgical removal after having surgery due to complications during childbirth then there’s no increased risk associated with either condition.* Obesity: Obesity increases insulin resistance which in turn promotes cell growth in these tissues so losing weight could help prevent further growths from occurring inside them later down the road.”
Some of the most widely accepted risk factors include:
There are several risk factors that can contribute to ovarian and uterine cancer. Some of the most widely accepted risk factors include:
- Family history of ovarian or uterine cancer. If you have a close relative who has been diagnosed with ovarian or uterine cancer, your chances of developing these diseases are higher than average. Your mother, grandmothers, sisters and daughters all play an important role in your health through their genetic makeup–and if one member of your family has been diagnosed with either condition (or both), then it’s possible that you may inherit their genes as well* Age – While age is not typically thought of as a cause for concern when it comes to women’s health issues like this one; however there is some evidence suggesting that older age does increase risk for both types* Race – African American women tend be at greater risk than Caucasian females due to differences in ethnicity
There are many potential causes of ovarian cancer, but there are things women can do to lower their personal risk.
- Family history of ovarian or uterine cancer
- Age
- Race
- Sex (women are more likely to develop ovarian cancer than men)
- Genetics: Women with certain genetic mutations have an increased risk of developing specific types of cancers. For example, women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers. If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with either type of cancer, talk to your doctor about whether you should be screened for these genes.
If you’re concerned about your personal risk factors for ovarian or uterine cancer, talk to your doctor about being screened for them by having blood tests done at regular intervals throughout adulthood–or even starting earlier in life if there’s a strong family history of these conditions.* Weight – Obesity increases the likelihood that a woman will develop endometrial cancer but does not appear to increase her risk for ovarian cancer.* Lifestyle factors – Smoking doubles the chance that a woman will get uterine cancer; drinking alcohol increases this risk even more than smoking does.* Medications like tamoxifen (used after breast cancer), which can cause birth defects when taken during pregnancy
Conclusion
If you are worried about your risk of ovarian cancer or uterine cancer, it is important to speak with your doctor. He or she will be able to tell you if there are any tests or screenings that can help detect these diseases at an early stage. Ovarian and uterine cancers are two of the most challenging types of cancers to detect early because they rarely have symptoms until they’re at an advanced stage. It is therefore crucial that you know what your family history is and take steps to lower your risk by being proactive