Did you know that ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women and that approximately 1.1 percent of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer at some point during their lifetime? However, early detection makes treatment easy.
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer develops when abnormal cells in the ovary grow out of control and divide into new cells, eventually producing a tumor. These cells can expand into surrounding tissues and eventually spread to other parts of the body if the cancer isn’t discovered early enough. Ovarian cancer comes in a variety of forms, the most common of which is ‘epithelial cancers’ (cancer that starts in cells covering the ovary or end of fallopian tubes.) Fallopian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes, while primary peritoneal cancer begins in the thin layer of tissue lining the inside of the abdomen.
Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms:
- Pain in the abdomen or pelvis
- Bloating, indigestion or nausea
- Fatigue of loss of appetite
- Frequent urge to urinate
How to reduce the risks of getting cancer?
- Eat a healthy diet – Base your diet on fruits, vegetables, and other foods from plant sources, limiting processed meals.
- Don’t use tobacco- Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer. Smoke and chemicals can affect your blood and damage your body. Approx. 3% of some types of ovarian cancer seem to be linked to exposure to tobacco smoke.
- Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active – being active and maintaining a healthy weight helps you stay healthy and lower the risk of various types of cancer.
LIVE HEALTHY!
