Ovarian cancer is a form of cancer that originates in the ovaries, a part of the female reproductive system. It is the tenth most common type of cancer detected among women. Read on to know more about ovarian cancer symptoms, causes, risk factors, types, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Symptoms of ovarian cancer
In the early stage of ovarian cancer, the symptoms might be non-existent. As the condition progresses, it might project symptoms that may often be misconstrued for benign health conditions. The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer could involve the following
- Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
- Back pain
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea and tiredness
- Pain while having intercourse
- Discomfort or pain in the pelvic region
- Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full even after eating little food
- Constipation
Causes of ovarian cancer
Researchers haven’t been able to narrow down the exact cause of ovarian cancer as yet; however, there are multiple factors that could contribute to the development of this condition. Following are some factors that could amplify the risk of ovarian cancer in women:
- Age – Although ovarian cancer can affect a woman of any age, it is mostly observed among women aged between 50 and 60 years.
- Family history – Individuals who have two or more close relatives who have had dealt with ovarian cancer have higher chances of developing this condition.
- Hormone replacement therapy – A prolonged use of estrogen hormone replacement therapy in high doses can lead to ovarian cancer.
- Early or late menstruation – The commencement of menstruation at an early or later age can both magnify the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Inherited gene mutations – A tiny percentage of ovarian cancer is caused due to gene mutations received from parents. Breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) are known to boost the risk of ovarian cancer as well. Likewise, the gene mutations related to Lynch syndrome can also cause ovarian cancer.
Types of ovarian cancer
The types of ovarian cancer are determined according to where the tumor has originated in the ovaries. Here are the three types of ovarian cancer:
- Epithelial tumors – This type of cancer starts within the thin tissue that covers the external part of the ovaries. Epithelial tumors form approximately 90% of the ovarian cancers.
- Stromal tumors – These types of tumors arise in ovarian tissues that comprise the cells that produce hormones. As compared to other types of ovarian cancers, these tumors are usually diagnosed during the initial stages. It is estimated that stromal tumors make up around 7% of the total ovarian cancer cases.
- Germ-cell tumors – These types of tumors begin in the cells that produce eggs. Germ-cell tumors are pretty rare and usually tend to affect younger women.
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Depending on the symptoms, doctors can suggest one or multiple diagnostic tests. A pelvic exam is commonly recommended where the doctor examines the vagina for any abnormal growths. Imaging tests such as abdominal and pelvic ultrasound or CT scan are used to gauge the size and structure of the ovaries. Likewise, a blood test for measuring the levels of CA (cancer antigen) 125 can be suggested. However, this blood test can’t definitively claim that one is suffering from cancer. In extreme cases, if there is no conclusive diagnosis drawn, the doctor may suggest surgery to remove the tumor or a part of it for biopsy.
Treatment of ovarian cancer
Once the condition is diagnosed, the doctor will suggest a combination of procedures for its treatment. These include the following:
- Surgery – Depending on how far the cancer has spread, the doctor will recommend surgery to remove either one ovary, both the ovaries, or both ovaries and uterus.
- Chemotherapy – This is a powerful type of drug that is used for killing cancer cells. It can be used before or after the surgery, based on the diagnosis. Drugs used for chemotherapy can be taken orally, injected in the veins, or can be directly injected into the affected part.
- Targeted therapy – In this kind of therapy, drugs are used to target certain vulnerabilities of the cancer cells. It is ordinarily used in cases, where the cancer is resistant to other types of drugs or relapses after treatment.
- Palliative care – This is a specialized form of health treatment that focuses on alleviating the painful symptoms of cancer. The palliative care specialists not only work with the patient but also with family members and doctors to make it easier to cope with aggressive procedures such as chemotherapy and surgery.
Prevention
As of now, there is no foolproof way of entirely preventing ovarian cancer. There are a few measures one can take to lower its risks such as using birth control pills, considering pregnancy, breastfeeding, and surgical procedures such as tubal litigation or hysterectomy. However, it is essential that one scrutinizes the consequences of adopting any such methods. Therefore, it always makes sense to be prudent by seeking the counsel of a qualified gynecologist.
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Overview of sciatic nerve pain and ways to get relief from it
Read moreIncessant nerve pains affect a large percentage of people with diabetes and other health conditions and it is difficult to live with it. Read on to get an idea about nerve pain and how you can get effective nerve pain relief.
What are sciatic nerve pains?
As you know, our nerve is responsible for carrying the impulses of sensation from the spinal cord or brain and to other body parts. The nervous system plays an integral part in everything your body does. Damage in any of the nerve can lead to nerve pains. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body. It runs from the lower back to the hip and reaches the ankle. Any damage or extra pressure in this nerve can cause intense pain in the legs. The condition is referred to as sciatica.Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain
The sciatic nerve pain occurs in one part of the leg, usually towards the lower end. It can be accompanied with numbness and tingling sensation in some people. Sometimes there will not be severe pain, but numbness or weakness of the leg may occur. At night, the pain aggravate in some patients, making it difficult for them to get proper sleep. The pain may worsen when you sit or stand for a prolonged time. Also you may feel intense pain when you do movements that extend the spinal cord.Causes of nerve pain
There are various causes of sciatic nerve pains, out of which, the major factor that causes you nerve pain is the rupturing of the disc in the spine. Any other health conditions that affect the spine can give you nerve pains. Other than spinal conditions, nerve pain can occur during the time of pregnancy or uterine tumors in women.Treatment for nerve pain
Sciatic nerve pain sometimes heal on its own with time. However, people find it difficult to deal with the frustrating pain. There are different methods prevalent to bring down the discomforts caused by sciatic nerve pain. Ranging from natural supplements to steroid injections, you can find effective ways to alleviate the nerve pains. Over-the-counter pills are available for instant relief from nerve pains. Also your doctor can suggest you prescription drugs that will effectively reduce nerve pains.In addition, there are also natural ways for nerve pain relief like acupuncture and other medical therapies. However, if the root cause of your pain is any other serious health condition, then you should go through proper treatment for it. Treating the root cause of the nerve pain will give you complete relief from it.
Avoid prolonged hours of standing or sitting in the same position. Switching to a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, proper exercise, and massage and physical therapies also help improve the condition.
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4 great reasons to buy shoes from a clearance sale
Read moreEver wondered whether discounted shoes were worth your time? Well, chances are, maybe you’ve never tried getting a pair of discount shoes online. Discounted shoes are a great way to save on cash, rack up less on credit card debts, and most importantly, buy more for less.
Technically speaking, it’s buying the same thing at fiendishly low rates. You can get that lovely pair of Birkenstock shoes for discounted prices of up to 80%. Clearance sales are great because that means shops are trying to get rid of products that haven’t sold. If you love comfortable and durable shoes but don’t mind the late sell times, it can be a great deal for you.
Here are five awesome reasons why discount shoes online are great bargains.
You buy more for less: That’s the buyer’s mantra for clearance shoe sales. What you would never normally find being sold for less than normal rates, you’ll find it there. If you’re lucky, you can snag a luxury designer label shoe from a clearance sale too. It’s just that great and nothing beats the rush of buying killer products for a pocket change. Literally.
You get the best quality: Some discount shoes come second hand. However, most of them are maintained well enough to feel like mint condition. Online stores may do their own repairs on shoes. You can also look into the option of customizing a second-hand shoe. Nothing beats the price tag on them.
You buy for super low prices: That is why they are called discount shoes. They are available in clearance sales both online and offline and you can get steal deals with these. Sometimes shoes can be sold in multiple pairs too or in a collection.
Even most designer brands won’t be able to sell a couple of pairs in a collection. Clearance shoes can be a great way to get to these. It’s like an underground online jackpot put out in broad daylight for sale.
They are sold online: You don’t necessarily need to physically travel to the clearance site to buy a decent pair of shoes. Most clearance sales are hosted online and you can bargain on the prices. Some of them even accept coupons which can be a great way to exploit further discounts on top of their regular discounted sales.
You can buy as much as you want and they ship pretty quickly. You get various shipping speed options too. Some clearance shoes can be returned within a set timeframe, If you’re unhappy with the quality, they can send a replacement instead. That’s their main selling point.