All women have two ovaries in their bodies, one present on either side of the uterus. These are the egg producing factories in women and also produce the female hormones.
Ovarian cancer can catch you unawares because it is notorious for not producing troublesome symptoms till very late. The best chances of cure are when ovarian cancer is detected in the early stages.
The early symptoms could be vague like feeling heaviness in the lower tummy, pressure, feeling full quickly after meals or urinating often. These symptoms could be because of so many other things as well but if they persist beyond one or two weeks it is best to consult your doctor and come to a diagnosis early.
10% of all ovarian cancers are hereditary. That means if any of your close relatives like your mother or sister has been diagnosed with ovarian, breast or colon cancer in the past, it increases your likelihood of developing it too. You must share a positive family history with your doctor when you go for consultation.
Ovarian cancer is most likely to happen around the time of menopause and if you have a heavy built, your chances of an ovarian cancer go up even more.
The good news is that the risk of ovarian cancer decreases after each childbirth and breastfeeding. Also using the birth control pills for more than 5 years, tubal ligation and uterus removal surgery have some protective effect on ovarian cancer.
Research indicates that eating a low fat diet with lots of vegetables may give higher protection to a woman against ovarian cancer.
An ultrasound and a blood test CA-125 are usually the first tests to be done and are usually enough for diagnosis. Women who are considered high risk are usually advised to undergo a yearly ultrasound for the ovaries.
Woman born in families where two or more of their close relatives have had genetic ovarian cancer should consider having their ovaries removed after completing their family. All women should consider themselves as at-risk for ovarian cancer as most of the times the warning is too subtle and easy to miss. Only being aware may be the best strategy to save your-self.