What you should know first about Ovarian Cancer Symptoms 2

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Ovarian cancer is a form of cancer which affects women only. Cancer cells arise in the reproductive organ present in women known as ovary. Cancer cells present in the ovary can extend further and spread to other parts of the body and also damage the outer lining of the ovary.

Ovarian cancer can be divided into four stages. These stages indicate how far the cancer cells have spread. The treatment will be chosen keeping in mind the extent to which the cancer has reached. The four different stages and the degree to which the cancer cells spread are as follows:

Stage 1: One or both the ovaries have been attacked by the cancerous cells. The outer surface of the ovaries may or may not be affected.Stage 2: Both ovaries and the outer surface have been attacked by cancerous cells. The cancer cells are now moving further to invade other organs of the pelvis such as fallopian tubes and uterus. The cells might also attack the rectum, colon and the womb consisting of the cervix and omentum.Stage 3: Cancer cells can be found in other parts of the pelvis and the abdomen. The outer lining of these organs has also been damaged.Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. The cells have also invaded the lungs and kidney. It may be difficult to treat ovarian cancer if it is diagnosed in this stage.

Women who are able to diagnose ovarian cancer in the first and second stages have more chances of survival. The treatment of ovarian cancer will depend on the different parts that have been affected. In most cases, a surgery is done to remove the parts which have been affected.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are not specific and could be related with other conditions. Most often, women suffering with ovarian cancer are first diagnosed with another medical condition and then finally diagnosed with ovarian cancer when medications for the other condition do not work. The common symptoms of ovarian cancer that could misguide you are stress, depression and abnormal bowel functioning.

A woman is able to understand that there is something majorly wrong with her body only once the symptoms start worsening. The symptoms are confused with digestive disorders but it is important to understand that these symptoms appear only in limited situations such as after eating a meal or eating some food substances that do not suit your body. Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer do not come and go, they are permanent. They are persistent and start to worsen with time.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

Pain in the abdomenPelvic painSwelling and bloating of the abdomenFeeling of fullnessGas, nausea, constipation or diarrheaPain during intercourseLower back painFrequent feeling to urinateFeeling tired without doing anythingGrowth of abdominal girth leading to tightening of clothesNot being able to enjoy mealsAbnormal duration of menstruation Retrieved from "http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/what-you-should-know-first-about-ovarian-cancer-symptoms-2-2886499.html" (ArticlesBase SC #2886499)

Preventing Ovarian Cancer

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Ovarian cancer forms on the inside of the small, almond-sized ovaries located on the sides of the uterus. The cancer may appear on one or both ovaries. The ovaries produce and release the eggs into the fallopian tubes. They also produce the two female hormones which are known as estrogen and progesterone.

These hormones are produced in high amounts before and during ovulation, and if these hormone levels become too high, they may be what causes the tumors to form in the ovaries.

There are two different types of tumors which are formed, one type is cancerous, and the other type is non-cancerous. The cancerous tumors will spread to the outside of the ovaries, and into the pelvic organs, as well as other parts of the body through the bloodstream or the lymph nodes.

The non-cancerous tumors are usually not considered to be a health threat as they do not spread, but nonetheless, they can also contribute to the increased production of estrogen, which may cause other cells to become cancerous.

Unhealthy fat cells also help to produce excess levels of estrogen.

So if we want to prevent ovarian cancer, we need to reduce the levels of estrogen which the body produces. This is not difficult when we understand some of the factors which are associated with the production of estrogen.

Studies have shown that obesity increases the risk of ovarian cancer by about 80 percent. This is because of all the unhealthy fat cells which continuously help to produce high levels of estrogen.

So what causes obesity? The answer is simple, a high fat diet. This includes all animal proteins and fats such as meat, milk and dairy. It also includes processed foods, and most cooked foods. Refined sugars can also contribute to unhealthy fat cells.

If you can eliminate these foods from the diet, and maintain a healthy weight, then you can eliminate 80 percent of the risks involved with ovarian cancer.

Hormone replacement therapy also plays a major role in causing ovarian cancer. So if you can avoid any of these therapies, even if the treatment includes both hormones (estrogen and progesterone).

Avoid taking a drug called danazol, which is a male hormone (androgen) and is used to treat endometriosis. This drug has also been linked to the cause of ovarian cancer.

Having several children, with the first child being born before the age of 30 will also help to prevent ovarian cancer as one ages.

Last but not least, eat a healthy diet of mainly raw foods. Foods that are in their raw state have more vitamins and nutrients for the body to absorb, and thus the body is able to stay strong and healthy for many years to come.

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