Ovarian cancer has been defined as the “silent killer” by the oncology specialists. This form of cancer is one of the deadliest gynecologic cancers in the world. Despite constituting only 3% of all the cancers that affect women, the death rate is higher when compared to other forms of cancer that affects a female’s reproductive system.
Awareness is crucial to improve survival rate
The very first steps to counter ovarian cancer are that of being aware and take the right measures to reduce its fatality. Early detection and treatment can prevent death as its 5-year survival rate is 94%. Ovarian cancer is typically detected among women of postmenopausal stage i.e. women who are over 50 years. As per the best cancer specialist hospital in India, the occurrence of ovarian cancer is seen only when:
- The woman has a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer
- Presence of BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes is found
- Occurrence of lynch syndrome is seen
It is understood that ovarian cancer can be overwhelming. But as mentioned earlier, it is awareness that can allay this deadly disease. Therefore, women are encouraged discuss the symptoms with their parents and share information with their physician so they become aware of ovarian cancer. Furthermore, the oncologist specialists believe that women should be encouraged to undergo genetic testing. This way they can gain adequate knowledge about their condition and take informed decisions.
Screening is the need of the hour
If any woman is found to be at the risk of having ovarian cancer, she should opt for screening tests on a regular basis; this will help with early detection and prevention of the spread of disease. That being said, we are yet to have a standard test capable of detecting Ovarian Cancer during the early stages. This is a stark contrast to the conditions like breast cancer which can be detected by mammograms. Similarly, colon cancer too can be detected through colonoscopy.
Symptoms
Ovarian cancer has some common symptoms like pelvic or belly pain, bloating, back pain, pain at the time of sexual intercourse, irregular periods, fatigue, constipation, frequent urge to urinate etc.
As these symptoms can also be caused because of the incidental or benign conditions, women neglect them and this leads to a considerable delay in diagnosing their conditions. No wonder, it also reduces the chances of curing disease. Therefore, one has to have a comprehensive approach to deal with the risk of ovarian cancer. After the screening is done, a woman must get on with the course of appropriate treatment too. Again, consultation with the doctors is most advised when experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms.
Popular Hospital is one of the leading hospitals in the country which has world-class medical facility for oncology case diagnosis and treatments. The hospital is built with the aim to provide top-notch medical facilities under one roof at the most reasonable costs so that there is no financial stress or burden on the patient or its family who are already going through an ordeal. Our team of compassionate doctors and clinical specialists are committed to provide consultation and medical services to all and sundry.
